Electrochemical detection of tryptophan metabolites following high-performance liquid chromatography

Electrochemical detection of tryptophan metabolites following separation on a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography column was compared with other means of detection. Of 29 compounds studied, 26 could be detected at a sensitivity comparable to that of fluorescence derivatisation procedures. Response was linear over a wide range of concentrations and selectivity was shown to be superior to ultraviolet detection when analysing urine. Additionally, it was possible to control selectivity so that only those tryptophan metabolites from the tryptophan hydroxylase pathway were detected. This is of particular value in the study of distrubances of serotonin metabolism and is unique to this type of detector.