Production of Nicotine Sulphate from Tobacco Waste By Water Extraction Method.

Abstract

This research project, conducted at the Makerere University Chemistry Department, aimed to develop an efficient, sustainable, and economically viable process for manufacturing nicotine sulfate from tobacco waste, thereby contributing to waste management, resource utilization, and environmental conservation. The study involved determining the moisture content of tobacco waste, extracting nicotine, and then producing nicotine sulfate. The moisture content of the tobacco waste was determined to be 2.7%, falling within the optimal range for solvent extraction. Nicotine was successfully extracted from tobacco waste, with a dark brown solution confirming its presence. Investigations into the effect of water volume on extraction showed that increasing water volume generally increased the total nicotine extracted, though it decreased the concentration of nicotine in the extract due to dilution. The effect of extraction time revealed a rapid initial extraction of nicotine, which then slowed and plateaued, indicating that most readily extractable nicotine diffused into the water within 4-5 days. The presence of nicotine was confirmed by a yellow color change upon titration with hydrochloric acid using bromothymol blue indicator. Acidification of the nicotinized kerosene solution with sulfuric acid successfully produced nicotine sulfate, as evidenced by a color change from pink to pale yellow with phenolphthalein indicator, and subsequent centrifugation separated the pale yellow nicotine sulfate from solid waste and kerosene. Finally, the efficacy of the manufactured nicotine sulfate as an insecticide was tested on aphids, showing a clear dose-dependent increase in mortality rate; a 0% mortality was observed in the control (0 ml nicotine sulfate), while 90% mortality occurred at 2.5 ml of nicotine sulfate within a 1-hour period. These results confirm the successful production of nicotine sulfate from tobacco waste and demonstrate its potential as an effective insecticide.