Determination of benzo[a]pyrene in cigarette smoke condensate by liquid chromatography on amberlite xad-2

A method is described for the determination of benzo[a]pyrene in cigarette smoke condensate which utilizes chromatographic fractionation on Amberlite XAD-2. PAH are initially separated by step-wise gradient elution, progressing from reverse to normal-phase modes of operation. Other separation steps involve automated column chromatography on silica gel and thin-layer chromatography on 20% acetylated cellulose. Benzo[a]pyrene is finally determined by u.v. spectrophotometry and liquid scintillation counting of ¹⁴C—benzo[a]pyrene tracer. Results obtained compare favorably with those of the more traditional liquid—liquid extraction methods.