The determination of biogenic amines by means of UV detection after derivatization with dansyl chloride and separation on a reversed phase column is very time-consuming
Biogenic amines can be found in a variety of foods, for example fish, meat, wine, cheese and other fermented food products.
For humans, the ingestion of small amounts (max 10mg) of biogenic amines is harmless.
Taken up in large amounts (1000mg and higher), they can cause severe poisoning.
Biogenic amines (in fish mainly histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine) are an indicator of the freshness of fish.
They are formed during the degradation of fish proteins.
Analysis of biogenic amines by ion chromatography.
The determination of biogenic amines by means of UV detection after derivatization with dansyl chloride and separation on a reversed phase column is very time-consuming.
Therefore a simple ion chromatographic procedure using conductivity detection has been developed for quality control of fish.
Dimethylamine (DMA), trimethylamine (TMA), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), histamine, putrescine and cadaverine in fish can be determined simultaneously.
This procedure does not require an elaborate derivatization.
A kit for testing ten sea fish samples is available form Sigma-Aldrich; this kit, stemming from the collaboration with Metrohm, includes the IC precolumn, the reagents for the eluents as well as the buffer and the standard solutions.
The analytical system.
MIC-1 advanced modular cation chromatography system with 819 IC detector.
Metrosep C 2 -150 separation column 6.1010.220.
Metrosep C 2 Guard column 6.1010.200.
The Advanced Modular IC system detects anions or cations without chemical suppression.
Electronic suppression can be used for very low detection limits.
The MIC-1 Advanced IC system has three components: the low-pulsation 818 Dual-Piston Pump, the 819 high-performance detector and the 820 IC separation centre.
This high performance system is very favourably priced, says Metrohm.
The special electronic suppression of the 819 IC Detector covers very low concentration ranges (<10ppb) for cations and anions.
The built-in column oven and the extremely low-pulsation IC pump additionally improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
As work is carried out without chemical suppression this means that the range of eluents that can be used is practically unlimited.
Difficult separating problems can be solved any limitations imposed by the eluent system or chemical suppressor into consideration.
The system can be automated with the 838 Advanced IC Sample Processor.
