Catechol can be determined as its trimethylsilyl di-ether in total particulate matter (TPM) by direct gas chromatographic analysis of pyridine extracts. The procedure is typically executed with a precision of 2-4% relative standard deviation. The Kentucky Reference (1R1) Cigarette was found to deliver 0.19 milligrams of catechol per cigarette (0.44 weight percent of TPM). The much greater catechol delivery by flue-cured tobacco than burley tobacco was confirmed. The procedure promises to allow the simultaneous determination of nicotine and glycerol.

(Full article published with kind permission from "Tobacco International")