Studies on the ldentification of Tobacco Alkaloids, their Mammalian Metabolites and Related Compounds by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry

Various pyridine compounds, either identified or implied as intermediates in the mammalian metabolism of nicotine or present in tobacco or tobacco smoke, have been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Spectral and gas chromatographic data for these compounds, which provide a basis for further studies of pyridine compounds in plant and animal tissue, are given. The utility of these data in studies on nicotine and its metabolites in body fluids from humans is illustrated by a determination of nicotine in the plasma from two smokers using quantitative mass fragmentography with the aid of deuterated nicotine.