A micro-extraction/derivatization method for RP-HPLC-FLD analysis of amino acids in wild boar meat

Abstract

Methods that are easy to use, spend small amounts of reagents, and have minimal human interference are precious tools in different areas. Sus scrofa is the wild animal most used in human diet, however, the knowledge about its protein fraction is still scarce. In this work, a method for 22 amino acids quantification was optimized and applied to the analysis of meat from animals of different ages and genders. The optimization of acid and basic hydrolyses reveal an ideal mass between 75 and 100 mg, with 3 mL of hydrolysis reagent, and 22 h for a maximum extraction of tryptophan. The hydrolysates were automatically derivatized using few µL, and the compounds were analyzed by reversed phase - high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. For comparison purposes, total protein was assessed, using the Kjeldahl method. The method showed high precision and accuracy, as well as very low limits of detection and quantification, with good potential to be applied to other animal meats. Significant differences were found between the amino acid profile of different animals (e.g. aspartic acid and taurine contents were slightly higher in juveniles than in adults).