[Improvement of a method for separation and determination of amino acids]

A method for separation and determination of amino acids using pre-column derivatization with 6-aminoquinoline-N-hydroxysuccinimido-carbamate (AccQ. Tag) was improved. The technique developed for rapid separation and determination of amino acids by AccQ. Tag method is described. The 18 amino acids and taurine are rapidly separated and determined by AccQ. Tag special chromatographic column(3.9 mm i.d. x 150 mm) within 17.5 min(the analysis period is 22.5 min) by changing the flow rate from 1.0 mL/min to 2.0 mL/min. In place of the AccQ. Tag special chromatographic column, the Nova-Pak C18 column(3.9 mm i.d. x 150 mm), Nova-Pak C18 column(4.6 mm i.d. x 150 mm), Symmetry C18 column(3.9 mm i.d. x 150 mm) or Waters Xterra RP-18 column, can be used to separate and determine the amino acids rapidly in the same manner. But among them the Symmetry C18 column is the best substitute for AccQ. Tag column. The separation time is 14.5 min and the analysis period is 20.0 min only. The price is much cheaper than the AccQ. Tag column.