Identification and Quantitation of Nicotine Polacrilex in Nicotine Pouches and Other Oral Nicotine Delivery Products

Introduction
Nicotine polacrilex is widely used as a nicotine source in oral nicotine products, but its identification is analytically challenging due to insolubility and complex formulations.
The study develops and validates a reliable analytical method to identify and quantify nicotine polacrilex in nicotine pouches and other oral products.
Key Points
Methodology: Pyrolysis-GC/MS (Py-GC/MS) detects nicotine polacrilex via divinylbenzene (DVB) pyrolysis markers from the Amberlite IRP64 polymer.
Specificity: The method reliably distinguishes nicotine polacrilex from other nicotine forms (e.g., free nicotine, nicotine tartrate).
Quantitation: Nicotine polacrilex levels were measured with high accuracy; variability was mainly due to inherent pyrolysis variability.
Validation: Results from commercial nicotine pouches, lozenges, tablets, and gums confirmed widespread use of nicotine polacrilex.
Nicotine source verification: Observed nicotine-to-polacrilex ratios (~20%) indicated that products using polacrilex did not contain additional nicotine sources.
Conclusion
Py-GC/MS provides a robust and reliable approach for identifying and quantifying nicotine polacrilex in oral nicotine delivery products.
The method supports product characterization and regulatory assessment by confirming nicotine source identity.
Nicotine polacrilex is confirmed as a common and exclusive nicotine source in many modern oral nicotine products.

Moldoveanu, Serban C. “Identification and Quantitation of Nicotine Polacrilex in Nicotine Pouches and Other Oral Nicotine Delivery Products.” Contributions to Tobacco & Nicotine Research, vol. 32, no. 2, May 2023, pp. 43–49, doi:10.2478/cttr-2023-0006.