Product Design
A Progress Report on Acid-Induced Nicotine Migration
Abstract
Reports results of nicotine migration studies "as induced by the presence of malic or tartaric acid." Indicates "impregnation of cigarette paper with acid can cause migration of nicotine to the periphery" causing elevated nicotine delivery into mainstream smoke." Tests levels of nicotine migration and constituent yields based on tobacco and paper types, and other factors.
User-Contributed Notes
Fields
- Notes
Design component: HH77
- Rank
- 1
- Author
- Hurst, Roger W. Dr. (Lor, Anal. Dev., Research Chemist, 1979)
- Slaven, Robert W. Dr. (Lor, Anal. Dev., Sr. Research Chemist, 1979)
- Recipient
- Ireland, Mary Sue (Lor, Product Composition Chemist, 1965)
- Minnemeyer, Harry Joseph, Ph.D. (Lorillard R&D Dept.; worked on nicotine augmentation project)
- Schultz, Frederick J., Ph.D. (VP of Lorillard, Inc. '89-95)
- Hypothesis
- Design changes over timeChanges in cigarette design over the past half century.
- Free Nicotine
- Introduction of new/unconventional productsResearch and development of novel nicotine delivery devices and experimental tobacco designs.
- Mainstream constituent yieldsModification of selected mainstream smoke constituents in response to health concerns.
- Nicotine transport, transfer, and uptakeDesign changes which alter nicotine delivery or effect how the product causes and maintains dependence, including transfer of nicotine from tobacco to smoke, and uptake into the body.
- Use of filters, paper, and ventilationModification of tobacco products through use of filters, paper, and ventilation, and measuring effects on dependence, behavior, and toxicity.
- Keyword
- Bound nicotine (Protonated or ionized nicotine)
- Delivery modification
- Free nicotine (Unprotonated or unionized nicotine)
- Impact (Throat grab)
- Nicotine delivery (Smoke nicotine or nicotine yield)
- Nicotine manipulation
- Puff count
- Puff parameters
- Additive
- Malic acid
- Tartaric acid
- Smoke Constituent
- Nicotine
- Nicotine salts
- Total particulate matter
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Design Component
- Banded paper
- Double wrapped paper
- Nicotine content (Tobacco nicotine content)Total nicotine in the unburnt tobacco rod
- Nicotine transfer efficiency (NTE)
- Pressure drop (PD, Resistance to draw (RTD), Flow rate or Draft)
- Reconstituted leaf (RL)PM @reconstituted_tobacco, c. 1970s-1980s
- Named Organization
- Lorillard Research Center
- Whatman
- Subject
- acids (additives)
- nicotine technology
- nicotine analogues (Technology)
- Pressure Drop (Design)
- Puff Count (Measures)
- Reconstituted Tobacco (Design)
- Smoke Nicotine (Measures)
- Brand
- Golden Lights
Document Images
. Accession number 1519
Lorillard Research Center
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A PROGRESS REPORT ON ACID-INDUCED
NICOTINE MIGRATION
Dr. R. W. Hurst
Submitted by: Dr. R. W. Slaven
Report number:
Summary or Abstract:
Date: 7/15/80
The migration of nicotine as induced by the presence
of malic or tartaric acid has been studied. It has been
demonstrated that the impregnation of cigarette paper with
acid can cause migration of nicotine to the periphery.
This in turn elevates delivery of nicotine in mainstream
smoke. Preliminary results show no other major migratory
species.
/le
Xc:
Ms.
M.
S.
Ireland
Dr.
Dr. H.
F. J.
J. Minnemeyer
Schultz
Library

INTRODUCTION
The ability of acid-impregnated media to induce the migra-
tion of nicotine is one of the most interesting results observed
in these laboratories (1) in connection with work on methods of
application and removal of nicotine. Work is now continuing to
try and define the scope, utility and mechanism of this phenomenon.
Several areas are of particular interest including the distances
over which this migration takes place, the type of nicotine ("free"
or "bound") involved and any other types of compounds which mi-
grate.
The distance over which the migration occurs is important
for applications in which an attempt is made to move nicotine
from the core of the cigarette to the periphery. It is hoped
that this would have the effect of enhancing delivery without
actually having to add nicotine to the cigarette. Thus, it is
necessary to know how far nicotine can be migrated in order to
determine if appropriate amounts are available to actually alter
delivery. Several experiments involving migration in hand-made
cigarettes and through flat pads of reconstituted leaf have been
performed to elucidate this point.
To determine whether forms of nicotine similar to "bound"
nicotine can migrate, rates of equilibration of nicotine salts
were studied. Preliminary results using nicotine tartrate are
reported here.
Finally, a preliminary study of materials which co-migrate
with nicotine has been undertaken. This was done to determine
if any important flavorants could be detected moving which would
result in enhancement or depletion of flavor on specific substrates.
EXPERIMENTAL
Distance of Transfer Through Reconstituted Leaf
In relation to work aimed at achieving migration of nicotine
to the outer edges it was of interest to determine the physical
distance over which the migration process is effective. This
was done by separating nicotine enriched reconstituted leaf (RL)
from acid impregnated paper by several layers of normal RL and
then analyzing the amount of nicotine which had migrated after
heating over an extended time period.
The nicotine enriched RL was prepared by dipping 2" x 2.5"
rectangles in a 5% aqueous nicotine solution and then air-drying.
These samples were then compressed against similar sized pads of
RL which contained 1, 2 or 4 layers of RL. The multiple-layer

-2-
pads were prepared by thoroughly soaking single sheets of RL and
then compressing the appropriate number of sheets into a unified
body which was then air dried. Acid impregnated paper was pre-
pared by dipping Whatman #2 filter paper in 2 M malic acid sol-
ution. Analysis of selected samples of impregnated paper indi-
cated it was 29.9 + 5.1% acid by weight (pH = 2.5).
The experimental construction consisted of 1 sheet of nico-
tine enriched RL pressed against the appropriate multi-layer pad
which in turn was pressed against the acid impregnated paper.
This assembly was tightly wrapped in alumina foil and put in
quart mason jars. Five assemblies were placed in each jar and
removed periodically over 3 weeks for analysis. During this
time the mason jars were maintained at 1050F. Three different
controls were run simultaneous to the actual experiment. These
consisted of the two-ply pad construction with the following
differences. In control M no malic acid was added to the paper,
in N no nicotine was added to the RL and in control I the paper
was insulated from the rest of the construction by a piece of
waxed laboratory weighing paper. The results of analyses of the
individual parts of the various constructions are tabulated in
Table 1. In each experiment A refers to the paper, B to the
middle pad and C to the single RL sheet.
Nicotine Radial Distribution During Migration
An earlier memorandum did not report a significant rise in
mainstream nicotine delivery even though a substantial amount of
nicotine had migrated to the cigarette paper (1). One explana-
tion for this phenomenum involved the migration of nicotine only
from the perimeter of the cigarette to the paper. To determine
the radial distribution of nicotine during the migration process,
sixty Golden Light 100 tubes were coated with 100-p1 of 2 M malic
acid, allowed to dry, and filled with HH77 tobacco. These cig-
arettes were stored in a dessicator containing a 74% glycerin/
water solution which has been reported to maintain moisture levels
of 14-15% (2). Samples of 10 cigarettes were taken for nicotine
analyses at intervals up to 1 month. A 3.2 mm diameter core was
removed from each cigarette by an assembly similar to a cork borer.
The tobacco from the periphery, core, and the paper were analyzed
for nicotine by Mr. Heath Efird. Results are shown in Table 2.
The nicotine levels of the core and perimeter never attained
equilibrium. A greater fraction of the nicotine which had migrated
to the paper originated from the perimeter than from the core.
A mass balance of the nicotine for each portion yields a nicotine 4=
level for the original HH77 tobacco of 3.070. This value is in 0
close agreement to the nicotine levels of the core following w
migration and indicates there as no significant migration from Zb
~
-1
N

the core. Unfortunately, verification of this number with the
analyzed nicotine levels of the stored tobacco before and after
the migration time was unreliable.
From the 60 malic acid treated cigarettes, two sets of
four were selected for mainstream nicotine analysis. Results
are shown in Table 3. The controls used here were Golden Light
100 tubes filled with HH77 tobacco, stored with the other cig-
arettes for the duration of the experiment.
Migration of Nicotine Tartrate
To determine the rate at which nicotine salts of stable
non-volatile acids migrate.the following experiment was carried
out. Pieces of Whatman #2 filter paper were coated with 0.5 ml
of 0.02 M aqueous tartaric acid solution. Four such pieces
(0.1 mmoles tartaric acid each) were then compressed into a
pad. A fifth piece of filter paper was coated with 0.5 ml of
0.1 M nicotine tartrate (total 0.05 mmole) and added to the pad.
The assemblies were placed in sealed polyethylene bags and placed
in an oven at 80°C for one week. One assembly was then removed
and allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 weeks. A second
assembly was left in the oven and heated at 105°C for an addit-
ional 5 days.
The pads were disassembled and each piece of paper analyzed
individually. The paper was extracted with 10 ml of water which
was subsequently made alkaline with 1 ml of concentrated ammon-
ium hydroxide. The aqueous solution was extracted with 3 x 10
ml of FC-113. After addition of an anethole internal standard
the freon was brought up to 50 ml and chromatographed isothermally
at 170°C on a 6' x 1/16" Carbowax 20M column.
Migration of Other Tobacco Constituents
In order to determine if any additional tobacco components
migrate to acid-impregnated paper, extracts from such paper were
subjected to gas chromatographic analysis. The acid-impregnated
paper was prepared by dipping 12.5 cm diameter pieces of Whatman
#2 filter paper in a 2 M malic acid solution. Selected samples
were weighed before dipping and after drying. The malic acid
content of the paper was found to be .524 + .09g (29.9 + 5.1%).
Twenty-five gram samples of coarsely cut XX-77 burley tobacco
were placed into 6 quart mason jars. Into three jars were placed
a total of 6 sheets of acid impregnated paper cut into approxi-
mately 1" squares. The remaining three jars were charged with
filter paper squares (pH = 5.75) which had not been acid treated.

The mason jars were sealed and maintained at 105°F for 5 days
with daily agitation. After cooling the jars were opened and
the paper separated. The squares were cleaned with a stiff brush
to remove tobacco dust. The two types of paper were then extracted
with 3 x 100 ml of dry, distilled in glass diethyl ether. After
drying with Na2SO4 and filtration the ether solutions were evapo-
rated to 0.5 ml under a slow stream of nitrogen. GC analysis of
these concentrates was carried out a 25 m x 0.3 m fused silica
Carbowax 20M column programmed from 100° to 180°C at 2°/min.
The chromatogram (Figure 1) of the extract from the untreated
paper shows, as expected, the almost complete absence of nicotine.
The only other major difference in the extraction mixtures is
the large peak at retention time 6.29 min.in Figure 1 which is
absent in the chromatogram (Fig. 2) of the extract from the acid-
impregnated paper.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
The experiments involving nicotine migration and radial
migration in cigarettes coated with tartaric acid allow us to
draw several important conclusions. It is apparent that nicotine
can be made to migrate over a sufficient distance and in sufficient
quantities as to make a measurable difference in nicotine delivery.
A major problem associated with this type of migration, however,
is the observed rate. Since the cigarettes had not attained
equilibrium after one month it is apparent that this rate is too
slow to be used in a production situation.
The rate may be dependent on the composition and concentra-
tion of the nicotine salt as shown by the difference in rates
between the tartaric acid filter paper experiment and the RL
migration. Whether or not the rate can be increased by using
higher nicotine tobacco, more acid, or a different acid must be
explored. If problems with the rate of migration can be solved
the level of nicotine enhancement is in the range that is usable.
In terms of the mechanism of migration it is possible that
two pathways are operative. The RL pad experiment in which the
acid-impregnated paper was insulated from the rest of the con-
struction indicates that at least some of the nicotine is moving
via the vapor phase. The higher levels of migration noted when
the paper is in contact with the RL may be due to a non-vapor
phase mechanism or just the greater surface of paper and hence
acid available under these conditions.

It should also be noted that nicotine was found on
the paper which had not been treated with acid. This is
the direct opposite of the result noted in the experiment
to determine co-migration. At this point there is no way
to completely explain the anomaly. It is possible the
difference stems from the presence of added nicotine in the
RL experiment and that such nicotine is more easily vol-
atilized than that normally found in tobacco.
The experiment to analyze for other migrating species
gave no indication of any major components besides nicotine.
However, since this experiment involved evaporating large
amounts of solvent it is possible that volatile components
of the extract may have been lost. Further experiments
involving use of the Unacon 780 headspace condensor are
contemplated to evaluate this possibility.
PROPOSALS
1. Determination of effects on nicotine mainstream delivery by
a band on the cigarette paper comprised of lactic, citric
and malic acids. This band has been found to extinguish
the cigarette under conditions of inactive draw (3).
2. Deterrination of the nicotine delivery on double wrap
cigarettes where the inner wrap consists of acid or
ammonium salt treated paper or reconstituted leaf.
3. Extension of the radial distribution experiment to equili-
brium through higher storage temperatures.
4. Quantitation of nicotine migration as a function of nicotine
level, acid concentration, temperature, pH and counterion.
5. If transfer of nicotine to the mainstream is increased, an
investigation of effects on TPM, CO, CO2 resulting from
changes in static burn time and pyrolysis characteristics
should be undertaken.
6. Evaluation of taste and impact.
7. Re-examination of extracts via gas chromatography after con-
densation using the Unacon 780.

REFERENCES
(1) T. M. Larson, "Migration of Nicotine Progress Report I",
Lorillard Internal Report, Accession No. 1126, 1978.
(2) R. W. Hurst, "Enhancement of Nicotine Delivery by Redistri-
bution of Nicotine Within the Cigarette", Memorandum to
M. S. Ireland, 1/15/80.
(3)
R. L. Stedman, L. Lakritz, E. D. Strange, Beit. Z. Tabak-
forsch, 5, 13 (1969).
(4) V. Norman, A. Ihrig, Private Communication.

TABLE 1
o N I C O T I N E
# of plys 5 days 12 days 18 days 20 days
A
1A .59 .82 1.00 .74 + .05
1B 1.46 1.79 1.29 1.83 +.03
1C 2.67 2.39 1.20 1.18 +.09
2A .87 .72 .90 1.55
B 1.61 1.38 1.47 1.0
C 1.86 1.84 1.55 1.08
4A
.78
.84
-
1.61 B
+ .1
B .82 .88 - 1.22 + .3
C 2.13 1.63 - 1.25 + .25
2 r1A .54 .57 .75 +.1 A
2MB - 1.10 1.40 1.30 + .1
2MC 2.45 1.58 1.54 + .05
2NA 0.47 .61 .50 .55 + .01 A
2NB 0.75 .62 .57 .61 + .01
2NC 0.73 .60 .60 .47 + .01
21A .58 .62 .60 .70 + 0.04 A
21B .95 1.23 1.02 1.25 + 0.06
21C 2.68 1. 93 1.72 1.32 + 0.15
NOTE: Average thickness of 2-ply pads 1.2 mm, 4-ply pads 2.5 mm.

TABLE 2
Day Paper % Nicotine
Perimeter Core
0 - 2.71/3.51* 2.71/3.51*
1 1.11 2.93 3.06
9 1.99 2.82 3.00
13 1.98 2.88 3.08
20 1.99 2.90 3.08
26 1.93 2.90 3.04
* Prior to the experiment, the HH77 tobacco analyzed at 3.51%
nicotine,-and at completion, 2.71%. It was stored in a closed
glass container at ambient temperature and analyzed at the same
time as all the other samples. Insufficient sample remained
for repeat determinations

TABLE 3
Control 1 2
pressure drop (mm) 100 100 110
number of puffs/cig. 8 8 10
nicotine/cig. (mg) 1.53 2.13 2.70
% increase from control - 38.9 76.0
Although a significant rise in nicotine is shown in group 1,
these results should be considered tentative until a statistical
sampling can be acquired.
TABLE 4
_
Paper No. GROUP 1
Nicotine (mg) GROUP 2
Nicotine (mg)
4 0 0.77
3 0 0.91
2 0.13 0.97
1 1.44 1.05
N 3.86 1.09
