Overview
ISO 9322:2023 specifies an ion chromatographic method for the determination of acetate and citrate content in materials used to produce wrappings for cigarette filters, cigarettes and other tobacco products. The method covers sample conditioning, extraction, ion chromatographic analysis with suppressed conductivity detection, external standard calibration and calculation of results (including dry-weight correction). It is intended for analytical laboratories and manufacturers performing quantitative analysis of wrapping materials such as cigarette paper.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Quantification of acetate (anhydrous acetic acid equivalent) and citrate (anhydrous citric acid equivalent) in wrapping materials.
- Sample conditioning and moisture: Samples conditioned per ISO 187; moisture determined per ISO 287 for dry-weight reporting.
- Reagents and standards: Use Grade 1 water (ISO 3696); recommended high-purity sodium acetate trihydrate and citric acid monohydrate for stock standards.
- Sample extraction: Typical extraction uses ~0.400 g sample with 100 ml Grade 1 water, assisted by ultrasonic bath (30 min), followed by 0.45 µm syringe filtration.
- Ion chromatography setup: Anion exchange column (non-metallic) with guard column, conductivity detector with suppressor and a KOH eluent generator cartridge (recycled mode) or equivalent gradient eluent. Example column: Thermo Scientific IonPac® AS15 (informative only).
- Calibration and quantitation: External standard calibration using prepared working standards; results reported in µg/ml then converted to % (with dilution factor and sample mass) and to dry-weight basis.
- Performance: Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated in a 2022 collaborative study (multiple laboratories); statistical analysis followed ISO 5725 series.
Applications and who uses it
- Tobacco manufacturers and converters for quality control of cigarette paper and filter wrapping materials.
- Analytical and contract testing laboratories performing routine compositional analysis for acetate and citrate content.
- Regulatory bodies and compliance testing where control of additives that influence burning rate and puff count is required.
- R&D and product development teams studying the effects of acetate/citrate additives on combustion behavior.
Practical benefits include reproducible, sensitive quantitation using ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection, and standardized reporting that facilitates inter-laboratory comparison and regulatory compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 187 - sample conditioning
- ISO 287 - moisture determination (oven-drying)
- ISO 3696 - water for analytical laboratory use
- ISO 5725-1 / -2 - accuracy (repeatability and reproducibility) of measurement methods
Keywords: ISO 9322:2023, ion chromatographic method, acetate and citrate determination, cigarette wrapping materials, cigarette paper analysis, tobacco product testing, KOH eluent generator, suppressed conductivity detection.