Hair sulfur amino acid analysis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Hair composition analysis is crucial for understanding its properties and integrity.
• Sulfur-containing amino acids, particularly cystine, play a vital role in hair structure and strength.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of current analytical procedures for sulfur-containing amino acids in hair.
• To detail methods for quantifying specific amino acids like cystine, cysteine, and their derivatives.

Main Methods:

• Review of analytical techniques including chromatography, titration, colorimetry, polarography, and spectroscopy.
• Focus on methods applicable to intact hair and its hydrolysates (partial and total).
• Specific mention of ion-exchange chromatography for analyzing cysteic acid, lanthionine, and lysinoalanine after total hydrolysis.

Main Results:

• Polarography and spectroscopy are identified as preferred methods for analyzing cysteine, cystine, and cystine oxides.
• Ion-exchange chromatography is effective for analyzing cysteic acid, lanthionine, and lysinoalanine in total hydrolysates.
• A range of analytical approaches are suitable for different sulfur-containing amino acids and sample preparations.

Conclusions:

• Accurate determination of sulfur-containing amino acids in hair is achievable through various analytical methods.
• The choice of method depends on the specific amino acid and whether the sample is intact hair or a hydrolysate.
• This review consolidates knowledge on essential analytical techniques for hair amino acid profiling.