Thermal desorption–photoionization ion mobility spectrometry for rapid analysis of tobacco flavorings and flavored filters

Abstract

This study developed a rapid thermal desorption sampling device and integrated it with photoionization ion mobility spectrometry, establishing a system for rapid characterization of liquid flavor components and quantitative detection of specific flavor compounds in tobacco filter rods. Its core innovation lies in the construction of a detection platform capable of analyzing both liquid and solid matrices: only 2 μL of sample is needed to evaluate the quality of liquid flavorings within 20 seconds, while under conditions simulating the actual flavoring process, the target components in solid filter rods can be quantitatively analyzed within 15 minutes. Using WS-23 as a model analyte, the method established a linear range of 1–20 mg mL⁻¹ (R² = 0.99), with limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) of 0.229 mg mL⁻¹ and 0.765 mg mL⁻¹, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 1.73% to 6.17%. Applying this method to the rapid detection of WS-23 in commercially available menthol-flavored cigarette filters not only meets analytical requirements but also effectively distinguishes the differences in flavor additive content among different brands. The integrated system and analysis strategy developed in this study have the advantages of rapid response, simple operation, and high sensitivity, meeting industrial quantitative requirements. Furthermore, it can achieve full-process coverage from the quality control of flavor raw materials to the monitoring of the total release of flavor components in filter rods, providing a reliable technical means for the precise control of the flavor quality of filter rods in industrial production.