Multidimensional gas chromatographic determination of cotinine as a marker compound for particulate-phase environmental tobacco smoke.

Multidimensional gas chromatographic analysis of air particles for the tobacco alkaloid cotinine is described. The analytical procedure requires little sample preparation. Unambiguous identification of cotinine and nicotine in cigarette smoke and indoor air samples was achieved by precise, reproducible retention times observed with two parallel analytical columns of different polarities and a nitrogen-specific detector. Further investigation of smoking and environmental variables is needed to validate the use of cotinine as a marker compound for environmental tobacco smoke particulate matter.