Separation and quantification of urinary di- and polyamines by gas chromatography with electron capture detection

A sensitive and specific gas chromatographic assay procedure employing electron capture detection has been developed for the assay of free and total di- and polyamines in human urine. Urine samples, hydrolysed with hydrochloric acid where necessary for the measurement of total amine output, were evaporated to dryness and, after the residues had been taken up in water, purified successively on Porapak Q and Dowex 50 X2 columns. Following evaporation of eluate, pentafluoropropionyl derivatives were made and analysed gas chromatographically using temperature programming. Di- and polyamines can be measured accurately at the picomole level and normal urinary output values calculated using this method agree well with those noted by other workers.