Nicotine dosage

Nicotine is a natural alkaloid found mainly in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) , but it can also be detected in trace amounts in some related plants (such as Solanaceae: tomato, potato, eggplant). Due to its marked pharmacological activity , its measurement is of particular importance in the quality control, safety and regulatory compliance of products containing or supposed to be nicotine-free.
Nicotine measurement thus makes it possible to:

• Check for contamination in plant extracts or “nicotine-free” products.
• Check the concentration in e-liquids , food supplements or phytosanitary products.
• Ensure compliance with European and international regulations governing the maximum permitted nicotine content.

Analytical methods used

Nicotine analysis is based on high-sensitivity chromatographic and spectrometric methods:

• GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) : ideal for the precise quantification of nicotine in volatile matrices such as e-liquids.
• HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) : Suitable for plant extracts, teas or nutritional supplements.
• LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry) : the gold standard for ultra-specific detection and trace quantification, even in complex matrices.

These approaches ensure reliable detection , reproducible quantification and full traceability of results, in accordance with the requirements of ISO 17025 standards.
To learn more about these methods, also see the page dedicated to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC-MS) .

Affected matrices

Nicotine dosing can be carried out on a wide range of matrices, depending on the nature of the product and its purpose:

• Plant extracts or essential oils from plants related to tobacco.
• E-liquids and vaping products.
• Food supplements, infusions, teas or herbal teas.
• Tobacco-derived products and formulations based on natural or synthetic nicotine.

The analysis allows nicotine to be distinguished from other related alkaloids, thus ensuring a complete characterization of the chemical profile of the sample.

Industrial and regulatory applications

The nicotine dosage meets various needs depending on the sector:

• Food industry : verification of the absence of cross-contamination in plant extracts.
• Nutraceutical : control of supplements intended for well-being or cognitive stimulation, to avoid the undeclared presence of nicotine.
• Tobacco and e-liquid industry : monitoring of formulations, compliance of dosages and traceability of finished products.
• Scientific research : study of metabolites, nicotine derivatives or its role in plants.

The analysis results help ensure consumer safety and transparency , in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 for cosmetic products and Regulation (EU) 2017/776 for tobacco products and e-liquids.

To complete this analysis, it is recommended to combine nicotine dosage with complementary tests such as caffeine dosage for stimulant products, or theobromine and theophylline dosage for the complete characterization of xanthine alkaloids.

Interest in quality control and compliance

Controlling nicotine levels is a crucial issue in the context of regulatory and toxicological controls .
This analysis makes it possible to:

• Detect the accidental or deliberate presence of nicotine.
• Assess compliance with current legal thresholds.
• Strengthen the safety of products placed on the market.

YesWeLab's partner laboratories have the latest generation of equipment, enabling very low detection limits and ensuring reproducible analysis , even for low concentration samples.

YesWeLab expertise

YesWeLab provides a network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited laboratories , specialized in chromatographic and physicochemical analyses.
Each service is adapted to your needs: type of matrix, detection thresholds, reference method or regulatory constraint.
Our scientific team supports you in the choice of method , the interpretation of results and the validation of compliance thresholds .

Thanks to its digital platform , YesWeLab simplifies the management of your analyses: request for quotes, online monitoring and consultation of technical reports in complete security.

For any specific request, contact our team now to benefit from personalized support for your nicotine and other alkaloid analyses.