Microchannel electrophoretic separation of biogenic amines by micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Fast, efficient separation of most common biogenic amines was successfully performed on a glass microchip capillary electrophoresis device. The amines putrescine, histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, phenethylamine, tryptamine, spermidine and spermine were derivatized prior to fluorescence detection with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Separation was carried out using a channel length of 28 mm, a cross section of 50 x 8 microm, and a field strength of 600 V/cm. After optimization of buffer electrolyte conditions (120 mM boric acid, pH 9.4, modified with 40 mM SDS), fluorescein thiocarbamyl amine derivatives were successfully resolved. Analysis time was as short as 75 s. Determination of the biogenic amines was achieved in soy sauce samples.