Accelerated ion-exchange chromatography of some biogenic amines

Abstract

There has been increasing evidence of the importance of biogenic amines, some of which function as transmitting agents for impulses in the central nervous system. This paper attempts to provide procedures for separation and subsequent quantitative analysis of these compounds in physiological fluids. Detection sensitivity and resolving power are sufficient to allow samples of these fluids to be analysed directly after removal of particulate matter and adjustment of acid concentration, thereby avoiding degradation of labile compounds by exposure to aerial oxygen or extremes of heat or pH. Those amines which have primary amino groups may be determined at concentrations of io −3 to io −6 M on a standard amino acid analyser with columns of a specific ion-exchange resin and buffers which are completely compatible with reproducible ninhydrin colorimetry. Some of the other biologically important amines which do not have primary amine functions, e.g., catecholamines and indole derivatives, were monitored to even lower concentrations by continuous flow fluorimetry.