looking for basic nic extraction process

[deezdrama]

I know theres hundreds of ways of going about tobacco extractions...

With the FDA on our vaping behinds .... for future use- I would like to find and perfect a simple tobacco nic/flavor extraction process, where I could soak some tobacco, take the nic/Tobacco flavor solution and add maybe some carmel and vg and have a decent- "get me by juice" that could be made if need be.

What im looking for is suggestions for a type of tobacco to use that is pure and has not had harmful chemicals added to it,and that will give a good flavor. Is there any type of tobacco that can be easily acquired locally at a tobacco shop that will work for this purpose? Or do I need to order it online?

Second thing im looking for is to get in a "ballpark" nic content range. I know there is no easy way to measure nic level in an extraction but is there any info out there that says something along the lines of X grams of so and so tobacco , soaked in Y amount of water will yeild roughly Z mg of nic per ml.??? It doesnt even need to be that exact. I vape 24mg but would be happy to consistantly be able to extract a nic solution ranging from 10 - 35 mg or so


Again- I know there can be hundreds of different answers to this- just looking for suggestions and tips to help me get started in my research, experimental juice making endevor

 

[Dr.Jerryrigger]

From what I've read (I am no expert, but am planning on doing something similar). For flavor people have had good things to say about pipe tobacco, snus, and even cigars. If you don't want a lot of additives don't go for the cheapest thing at walmart. If you have a tobacco shop near by I'm sure you can find something good.

As far as nic extraction; I've heard a good argument that you can't get more than about 2mg per ml. Simply because of the amount of solvent (water, VG, ethanol or whatever) to tobacco ratio. If you use more solvent you get better extraction but you have more volume. So to get the highest nic you have to use very little solvent and get poor exaction.
This then brings up the idea, well I can extract a lot and concentrate it to the proper nic level. But here's the thing, this is very dangerous if you're not able to test it. And to test it you'd need some equipment and chemicals, which will cost you about the same as getting a jug of nic base solution of a known strength. Also it's hard to test it at all because the simplest DIY test requires seeing a pH sensitive dye in the fluid and tobacco juice isn't exactly crystal clear.

Most people who extract from tobacco only do so for a flavor additive, not for the nic. If they want more nic they add a known strength base to it.
All this said, don't assume you can't get more than 2mg/ml, first, because something about a system you use may be quite effective, and second, I don't really know what I'm talking about. If you really want to do this, do it right from a safety stand point, this stuff can be deadly from just skin contact. If your prepared to do that, then lets talk extraction methods.

 

[Dr.Jerryrigger]

So in doing some more research on this topic I've noticed a rather major failure in many peoples calculations of potency nicotine. People are often quoting listings there were once on packs of cigarettes, these were from smoke, not the plant matter. Big differences as most of the nicotine burns. The leaves have (according to Wikipedia) from 0.6-3%. As this is water soluble a strong mixture could be made with minimal or no concentration if done right. I'm going to have to get some testing equipment and pipe tobacco soon.

The test is rather simple. I don't know the exact figures, but you test how much sulfuric acid is needed to neutralizer a given sample. With a colored fluid a pH meter may have to be used.... but I have two of those

As for extraction method there are many and I haven't done any. Heat makes it happen faster and effects flavor. Using an alcohol is good for flavor exaction, and has the added benefit of being easy to evaporate if concentration is desired. VG sounds like it's not so good for flavor when compared to PG.

 

[Kurt]

Effective nicotine extraction from tobacco requires organic solvents, such as dichloromethane, and then acid-base "flips" to further purify it. PG, VG, ethanol or water are too polar. For the average person, I think it is not at all cost effective. Unless you have access to big extraction glassware and have a good waste disposal strategy, it is far cheaper and safer to just buy 100 mg liquid and freezer-store it. Also, you need a lot of tobacco to get a good amount of nic. VG, water or PG will not effectively extract the nic, but they will get tobacco flavors. I and others have had good results with hot VG. See my Pipe Tobacco Essence thread.

pH titration curves against standardized HCl will tell you nic content, as long as you know how to do the analysis and titration math. Indicator titrations are not bad either. It will not tell you purity, however.

Unflavored nic liquid will last virtually forever in the freezer. Compared to the effort, hazards, time and cost of extractions, just buying and storing it will set you up for many years for much much less headache, cost and effort.