Analysis of heterocyclic amines in mainstream cigarette smoke using a new NCI GC-MS technique

A new procedure for the analysis of heterocyclic amines (HAs) in cigarette mainstream smoke condensate was developed. The procedure is based on two st ep derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) and N,N-dimethyl formamide dimethyl acetal, followed by GC-MS analysis using negative chemic al ionization (NCI) and single ion monitoring (SIM) detection. Using this p rocedure 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhiP) and 2-amino -3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) can be analyzed at levels as low as 0 .5 ng/cig. Besides IQ and PhiP, the presence of six other HAs in particulat e phase smoke was investigated. The technique is not sensitive enough for t he analysis of 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (A alphaC), 2-amino-3-methyl- 9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (MeA alphaC) and 3-amino-1, 4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3 -b]indole (Trp-P-1). The levels of 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole( Trp-P-2), 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha :3'2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) an d 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-alpha :3'2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2) were below the esti mated detection Limit of the procedure.