Detection of nicotine in snus
ID: 198730 | No.: 658 | Alfred Krause
School experiment from Year 5 onwardsCategory: Evidence
Sample preparation
Open the snus packet and use scissors to cut open two pouches (each containing 17 mg of nicotine) at one end. The powder is transferred to a test tube, mixed with 4 ml of demineralised water, and the suspension is gently warmed using a hot-air blower. The mixture is filtered and the residue is rinsed with 1 ml of water. This yields a clear, slightly yellowish solution with a pH of 8.
Detection of nicotine using Dragendorff’s reagent
Approx. 2 ml of the filtrate is diluted with water to approx. 6 ml. On addition of 0.5 ml of Dragendorff’s reagent, an orange precipitate forms immediately.
Thin-layer chromatography
Apply 100 µl of the filtrate to a silica gel plate (2.5 × 7.5 cm) and dry with a hair dryer. A diluted solution of a nicotine shot (for e-cigarette liquids) is used as the reference substance. The plate is developed in the developing solvent and then dried with a hairdryer in a fume cupboard. It is then sprayed with Dragendorff’s spray reagent in the fume cupboard (in front of a cardboard backing). The orange spots, which are immediately visible, become even more distinct after being dried with a hairdryer again.
Developing solution
- Option 1: Isopropanol : Ammonia (25%) = 7 : 3; running time approx. 47 min; Rf = 0.65
- Option 2: ethyl acetate : methanol : ammonia (25 %) = 9 : 1 : 0.5; running time approx. 10 min; Rf = 0.46
Test tubes, funnels, filter paper, scissors, plastic pipettes, silica gel thin-layer plates, DC chamber, hot-air gun
| Name | Formula | CAS no. | H-statements | P-statements | Pictograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammoniak, wässrige Lösung 25% | NH₃·aq |
H314
– Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage.
German original: Verursacht schwere Verätzungen der Haut und schwere Augenschäden.
H335
– May irritate the respiratory tract.
German original: Kann die Atemwege reizen.
H410
– Very toxic to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects.
German original: Sehr giftig für Wasserorganismen mit langfristiger Wirkung. |
P261
– Avoid inhaling dust, fumes, gas, mist, vapour or aerosols.
German original: Einatmen von Staub/Rauch/Gas/Nebel/Dampf/Aerosol vermeiden.
P271
– Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
German original: Nur im Freien oder in gut belüfteten Räumen verwenden.
P273
– Avoid release into the environment.
German original: Freisetzung in die Umwelt vermeiden.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P303+P361+P353
– IF IN CONTACT WITH THE SKIN (or hair): Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Wash the skin with water or take a shower.
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT (oder dem Haar):Alle kontaminierten Kleidungsstücke sofort ausziehen. Haut mit Wasser abwaschen/duschen.
P305+P351+P338
– IF IN EYES: Rinse gently with water for several minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
German original: BEI KONTAKT MIT DEN AUGEN: Einige Minuten lang behutsam mit Wasser spülen. Vorhandene Kontaktlinsennach Möglichkeit entfernen. Weiter spülen. |
GHS05, GHS07, GHS09 | |
| Methanol | CH₃OH | 67-56-1 |
H225
– Liquid and vapour are highly flammable.
German original: Flüssigkeit und Dampf leicht entzündbar.
H370
– Causes damage to the organs <or list all affected organs, if known><specify the route of exposure, provided there is conclusive evidence that this risk does not arise via any other route of exposure>.
German original: Schädigt die Organe <oder alle betroffenen Organe nennen, sofern bekannt><Expositionsweg angeben, sofern schlüssig belegt ist, dass diese Gefahr bei keinem anderen Expositionsweg besteht>.
H301+H311+H331
– Toxic if swallowed, in contact with the skin or if inhaled
German original: Giftig bei Verschlucken, Hautkontakt oder Einatmen |
P210
– Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other sources of ignition. No smoking.
German original: Von Hitze, heißen Oberflächen, Funken, offenen Flammen und anderen Zündquellen fernhalten. Nicht rauchen.
P233
– Keep the container tightly closed.
German original: Behälter dicht verschlossen halten.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P301+P310
– IF SWALLOWED: Call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / doctor … immediately.
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Sofort GIFTINFOMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen.
P303+P361+P353
– IF IN CONTACT WITH THE SKIN (or hair): Remove all contaminated clothing immediately. Wash the skin with water or take a shower.
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT (oder dem Haar):Alle kontaminierten Kleidungsstücke sofort ausziehen. Haut mit Wasser abwaschen/duschen.
P304+P340+P311
– IF INHALED: Move the person to fresh air and ensure they can breathe freely. Call a POISON INFORMATION CENTRE or a doctor.
German original: BEI EINATMEN: Die Person an die frische Luft bringen und für ungehinderte Atmung sorgen. GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM oder Arzt anrufen. |
GHS02, GHS06, GHS08 |
| Nikotin | C₁₀H₁₄N₂ | 54-11-5 |
H315
– Causes skin irritation.
German original: Verursacht Hautreizungen.
H318
– Causes serious eye damage.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenschäden.
H411
– Toxic to aquatic organisms, with long-term effects.
German original: Giftig für Wasserorganismen, mit langfristiger Wirkung.
H300+H310+H330
– Dangerous if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled
German original: Lebensgefahr bei Verschlucken, Hautkontakt oder Einatmen |
P273
– Avoid release into the environment.
German original: Freisetzung in die Umwelt vermeiden.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P405
– Keep under lock and key.
German original: Unter Verschluss aufbewahren.
P501
– Feed the contents / container ...
German original: Inhalt / Behälter ... zuführen.
P301+P310
– IF SWALLOWED: Call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE / a doctor … immediately.
German original: BEI VERSCHLUCKEN: Sofort GIFTINFOMATIONSZENTRUM / Arzt ... anrufen.
P302+P352+P310
– IF IT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE SKIN: Wash with plenty of water/... Call the POISON INFORMATION CENTRE/a doctor/... immediately.
German original: BEI BERÜHRUNG MIT DER HAUT: Mit viel Wasser/... waschen. Sofort GIFTINFORMATIONSZENTRUM/Arzt/... anrufen. |
GHS05, GHS06, GHS09 |
| 2-Propanol | C₃H₇OH | 67-63-0 |
H225
– Liquid and vapour are highly flammable.
German original: Flüssigkeit und Dampf leicht entzündbar.
H319
– Causes serious eye irritation.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenreizung.
H336
– May cause drowsiness and light-headedness.
German original: Kann Schläfrigkeit und Benommenheit verursachen. |
P210
– Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other sources of ignition. Do not smoke.
German original: Von Hitze, heißen Oberflächen, Funken, offenen Flammen und anderen Zündquellen fernhalten. Nicht rauchen.
P233
– Keep the container tightly closed.
German original: Behälter dicht verschlossen halten.
P240
– Earth the container and the equipment to be filled.
German original: Behälter und zu befüllende Anlage erden.
P241
– Use explosion-proof electrical equipment / ventilation systems / lighting /...
German original: Explosionsgeschützte elektrische Betriebsmittel / Lüftungsanlagen / Beleuchtung /... verwenden.
P242
– Use only non-sparking tools.
German original: Nur funkenfreies Werkzeug verwenden.
P305+P351+P338
– IF IN EYES: Rinse gently with water for several minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
German original: BEI KONTAKT MIT DEN AUGEN: Einige Minuten lang behutsam mit Wasser spülen. Vorhandene Kontaktlinsennach Möglichkeit entfernen. Weiter spülen. |
GHS02, GHS07 |
| Dragendorff-Reagenz (Munier) |
H318
– Causes serious eye damage.
German original: Verursacht schwere Augenschäden.
H360
– May impair fertility or harm the unborn child <specify the specific effect, if known><specify the route of exposure, provided there is conclusive evidence that the risk does not arise via any other route of exposure>.
German original: Kann die Fruchtbarkeit beeinträchtigen oder das Kind im Mutterleib schädigen <konkrete Wirkung angeben,sofernbekannt><Expositionsweg angeben, sofern schlüssig belegt ist, dass die Gefahr bei keinem anderen Expositionsweg besteht>.
H373
– May cause damage to organs <list all affected organs, where known> following prolonged or repeated exposure <specify the route of exposure if there is conclusive evidence that this risk does not arise via any other route of exposure>.
German original: Kann die Organe schädigen <alle betroffenen Organe nennen, sofern bekannt> bei längerer oder wiederholterExposition <Expositionsweg angeben, wenn schlüssig belegt ist, dass diese Gefahr bei keinem anderenExpositionsweg besteht>. |
P201
– Obtain specific instructions before use.
German original: Vor Gebrauch besondere Anweisungen einholen.
P260
– Do not breathe in dust, smoke, gas, mist, vapour or aerosols.
German original: Staub / Rauch / Gas / Nebel / Dampf / Aerosol nicht einatmen.
P280
– Wear protective gloves / protective clothing / eye protection / face protection.
German original: Schutzhandschuhe / Schutzkleidung / Augenschutz / Gesichtsschutz tragen.
P308+P313
– IN CASE OF EXPOSURE or if affected: Seek medical advice / seek medical assistance.
German original: BEI Exposition oder falls betroffen: Ärztlichen Rat einholen / ärztliche Hilfe hinzuziehen.
P305+P351+P338
– IF THE PRODUCT COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE EYES: Gently rinse with water for several minutes. Remove any contact lenses if possible. Continue rinsing.
German original: BEI KONTAKT MIT DEN AUGEN: Einige Minuten lang behutsam mit Wasser spülen. Vorhandene Kontaktlinsennach Möglichkeit entfernen. Weiter spülen. |
GHS05, GHS08 |
H/P statements: machine translation, with the German original below (authoritative). Name, formula, CAS no. and pictograms are not translated.
-
Safety goggles must be worn.German originalEine Gestellschutzbrille ist zu tragen.
-
Disposable nitrile gloves are used as splash protection.German originalAls Spritzschutz dienen Nitril-Einmalhandschuhe.
There are no known hazardous properties of the substances or other risks that would, in principle, preclude the experiment from being carried out by pupils or teachers. The list of substances in DGUV Information 213-098 at degintu.dguv.de has been taken into account.
Snus containing nicotine is freely available to school pupils via the internet. The risk associated with handling two pouches in an experiment is negligible compared with its intended use between the upper lip and the upper jaw.
The Dragendorff’s reagent contains basic bismuth nitrate at a concentration of 0.4 per cent, whilst the spray reagent contains it at a concentration of approximately 0.04 per cent. When 0.5 ml of reagent is added to the test tube using a plastic pipette, significant contamination can reasonably be ruled out.
The mobile phases for thin-layer chromatography can be prepared by the teacher; this is also beneficial for chamber saturation.
As the aqueous solutions are of low concentration, they can be disposed of via the waste water system.
The solvents must be disposed of via the designated collection containers for solvent-containing waste.
Figure 1: A packet of snus available to buy online. Figure 2: Contents of the packet containing the nicotine pouches. Figure 3: DC chromatograms with a nicotine shot for comparison.
Krause, A. and Klemeyer, H. 2026, Detection of nicotine in snus; doi:10.5281/zenodo.22646193
Wikipedia: Nicotine; Dragendorff’s reagent