From 2013 to 2016, the CORESTA Routine Analytical Sub-Group (RAC) and Smokeless Tobacco Sub-Group (STS) conducted a series of collaborative studies for the determination of nornicotine and anabasine in tobacco and tobacco products. A gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method using methanol as the extract solvent and 6-methylquinoline and d4-nornicotine as the internal standards was eventually selected.

This document reports on the collaborative study undertaken in 2016 to calculate repeatability and reproducibility (r & R) values and determine if the methodology was suitable for the purpose of determining nornicotine and anabasine in tobacco and tobacco products.  It was concluded that the methodology was suitable for guidance but not for a CORESTA Recommended Method (CRM) at this time.