1
|
Deng H, Tang S, Yang F, Chen D, Bian Z, Wang Y, Tang G, Lee HK. Recent advances in the analysis of electronic cigarette liquids and aerosols: Sample preparation and chromatographic characterization. J Chromatogr A 2023; 1712:464495. [PMID: 37952386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage has risen dramatically worldwide in recent years. It has been publicized as a safer alternative to the conventional combustible cigarette. This, however, has not yet been supported by robust toxicological research evidence. Analysis of the chemical compositions of e-liquids and generated aerosols is an important step in evaluating the toxicity effects of e-cigarettes. Currently, a broad spectrum of analytical methods have been employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical compositions of e-cigarette liquids and aerosols. The aim of this article is to review the advances in the chromatographic characterization of chemical composition of the latter in the recent five years. In addition, sample preparation methods for e-liquids and aerosols are surveyed and discussed. A study of the relevant literature indicates that, expectedly, gas chromatography and liquid chromatography with a variety of detection systems, particularly mass spectrometry, have been the main analytical techniques used in this field. Sample preparation procedures primarily include headspace sampling, dilute-and-shoot approach, liquid-liquid extraction and sorbent-based extraction for e-liquids and for aerosols (the latter usually with laboratory-built collection devices). Some challenges of current e-cigarette analytical research, and an overview on prospective work are also presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Deng
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, No.6 Cuizhu Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Sheng Tang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province 212003, China
| | - Fei Yang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, No.6 Cuizhu Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Yunnan Institute of Tobacco Quality Inspection & Supervision, Kunming 650106, China; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhaoyang Bian
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, No.6 Cuizhu Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Ying Wang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, No.6 Cuizhu Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Gangling Tang
- China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, High and New Technology Industries Development Zone, No.6 Cuizhu Street, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
| | - Hian Kee Lee
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province 212003, China; Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Augustini ALRM, Borg C, Sielemann S, Telgheder U. Making Every Single Puff Count-Simple and Sensitive E-Cigarette Aerosol Sampling for GCxIMS and GC-MS Analysis. Molecules 2023; 28:6574. [PMID: 37764350 PMCID: PMC10536117 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of the aerosol from tobaccoless electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is an important part of understanding their impact on human health, yet sampling aerosol from e-cigarettes is still considered a challenge. It lacks a standard method for research and quality control and there are a variety of methods. However, few are simple and inexpensive, and none have been suggested for the use with gas chromatography coupled ion mobility spectrometry (GCxIMS). This work presents and evaluates such a setup made from standard lab equipment to quickly collect a quantitative sample from the aerosol of a single puff (5 s totaling 125 mL). The aerosol condensates directly in the cooled headspace (HS) vial, which is analyzed in the HS-GCxIMS or mass spectrometer (HS-GC-MS). The combined use of GC-MS and GCxIMS allows the simple and sensitive identification of unknown substances in complex mixtures and the identification of degradation products in the aerosols. A calibration of 26 flavor compounds (0.2-20 µg/g) was created using single puffs of a spiked, flavorless commercial refill solution and 2-alkanones as internal standards. This sensitive but easily reproducible setup enables a wide range of further investigations, even for labs that were previously unable to afford it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L. R. M. Augustini
- Department Hamm 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Marker Allee 76-78, 59063 Hamm, Germany; (A.L.R.M.A.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Christopher Borg
- Department Hamm 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Marker Allee 76-78, 59063 Hamm, Germany; (A.L.R.M.A.)
| | - Stefanie Sielemann
- Department Hamm 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Marker Allee 76-78, 59063 Hamm, Germany; (A.L.R.M.A.)
| | - Ursula Telgheder
- Faculty of Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vivarelli F, Granata S, Rullo L, Mussoni M, Candeletti S, Romualdi P, Fimognari C, Cruz-Chamorro I, Carrillo-Vico A, Paolini M, Canistro D. On the toxicity of e-cigarettes consumption: Focus on pathological cellular mechanisms. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106315. [PMID: 35724819 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking remains without a doubt one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. In combination with conventional protocols for smoking cessation, e-cigarettes have been proposed as a useful tool to quit smoking. Advertised as almost free of toxic effects, e-cigarettes have rapidly increased their popularity, becoming a sought-after device, especially among young people. Recently some health concerns about e-cigarette consumption are being raised. It is well known that they can release several toxic compounds, some of which are carcinogenic to humans, and emerging results are now outlining the risks related to the onset of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. The present review shows the emerging evidence about the role of technical components of the devices, the e-liquid composition as well as customization by consumers. The primary topics we discuss are the main toxicological aspects associated with e-cigarette consumption, focusing on the molecular pathways involved. Here it will be shown how exposure to e-cigarette aerosol induces stress/mitochondrial toxicity, DNA breaks/fragmentation following the same pathological pathways triggered by tobacco smoke, including the deregulation of molecular signalling axis associated with cancer progression and cell migration. Risk to fertility and pregnancy, as well as cardiovascular risk associated with e-cigarette use, have also been reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Vivarelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Silvia Granata
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery - University of Milano - Bicocca
| | - Laura Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Matilde Mussoni
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sanzio Candeletti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Romualdi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmela Fimognari
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Corso d'Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, Italy
| | - Ivan Cruz-Chamorro
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS (Universidad de Sevilla, HUVR, Junta de Andalucía, CSIC), 41013 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica Médica y Biología Molecular e Inmunología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Carrillo-Vico
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS (Universidad de Sevilla, HUVR, Junta de Andalucía, CSIC), 41013 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Bioquímica Médica y Biología Molecular e Inmunología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Moreno Paolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Donatella Canistro
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Moser D, Leitner P, Filipek PA, Hussain S, Rainer M, Jakschitz T, Rode BM, Bonn GK. Quantification and cytotoxicity of degradation products (chloropropanols) in sucralose containing e-liquids with propylene glycol and glycerol as base. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 430:115727. [PMID: 34543670 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained increasing popularity in recent years, mostly because they are supposed to be less harmful than regular cigarettes. Therefore, it is highly imperative to investigate possible noxious effects to protect the consumers. E-liquids consist of propylene glycol, glycerol, aroma compounds and sweeteners. One of these sweeteners is a chlorinated version of sucrose, namely sucralose. The aim of this work was to investigate degradation products of sucralose in the presence of propylene glycol and glycerol at different temperatures of commercially available e-cigarettes. Chemical analysis and biological tests were simultaneously performed on e-liquid aerosol condensates. The results of the chemical analysis, which was executed by employing GC-MS/GC-FID, demonstrated high amounts of various chloropropanols. The most abundant one is extremely toxic, namely 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol, which can be detected at concentrations ranging up to 10,000 mg/kg. Furthermore, a cytotoxicity investigation of the condensates was performed on HUVEC/Tert2 cells in which metabolic activity was determined by means of resazurin assay. The cellular metabolic activity significantly decreased by treatment with e-liquid aerosol condensate. Due to the results of this study, we advise against the use of sucralose as sweetener in e-liquids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Moser
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Centre for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Leitner
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Przemyslaw A Filipek
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Shah Hussain
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Matthias Rainer
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Centre for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Thomas Jakschitz
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernd M Rode
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Centre for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günther K Bonn
- ADSI-Austrian Drug Screening Institute GmbH, Innrain 66a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, CCB-Centre for Chemistry and Biomedicine, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Duffy B, Li L, Lu S, Durocher L, Dittmar M, Delaney-Baldwin E, Panawennage D, LeMaster D, Navarette K, Spink D. Analysis of Cannabinoid-Containing Fluids in Illicit Vaping Cartridges Recovered from Pulmonary Injury Patients: Identification of Vitamin E Acetate as a Major Diluent. TOXICS 2020; 8:E8. [PMID: 31991538 PMCID: PMC7151740 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Beginning in June of 2019, there was a marked increase in reported cases of serious pulmonary injury associated with vaping. The condition, referred to as e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), does not appear to involve an infectious agent; rather, a chemical adulterant or contaminant in vaping fluids is suspected. In August of 2019, the Wadsworth Center began receiving vaporizer cartridges recovered from patients with EVALI for analysis. Having no a priori information of what might be in the cartridges, we employed untargeted analyses using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify components of concern. Additionally, we employed targeted analyses used for New York medical marijuana products. Here, we report on the analyses of 38 samples from the first 10 New York cases of EVALI for which we obtained cartridges. The illicit fluids had relatively low cannabinoid content, sometimes with unusual Δ9-/Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol ratios, sometimes containing pesticides and many containing diluents. A notable diluent was α-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E acetate; VEA), which was found in 64% of the cannabinoid-containing fluids. To investigate potential sources of the VEA, we analyzed six commercial cannabis-oil diluents/thickeners. Three were found to be >95% VEA, two were found to be primarily squalane, and one was primarily α-bisabolol. The cause(s) of EVALI is unknown. VEA and squalane are components of some personal care products; however, there is growing concern that vaping large amounts of these compounds is not safe.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Duffy
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Lingyun Li
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Shijun Lu
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Lorie Durocher
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Mark Dittmar
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Emily Delaney-Baldwin
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - Deepika Panawennage
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
| | - David LeMaster
- Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA;
| | - Kristen Navarette
- Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA;
- Albany Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - David Spink
- Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA; (B.D.); (L.L.); (S.L.); (L.D.); (M.D.); (E.D.-B.); (D.P.)
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| |
Collapse
|