Abstract
THE micro-determination of α-amino-acids with ninhydrin in n-butanol is highly sensitive, but often inaccurate due to the retardation of colour formation and the production of various red or blue colours instead of the purple compound usually obtained. It was found that traces of cations had a marked influence on the speed of colour formation and its intensity and on the absorption spectra of the coloured compounds produced. (The effect of cations on the ninhydrin colour was employed for the preservation of chromatogram spots by Kawerau and Wieland1.)
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Kawerau, E., and Wieland, T., Nature, 168, 77 (1951).
Block, R. J., LeStrange, R., and Zweig, G., “Paper Chromatography”, 61 (Acad. Press, New York, 1952).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MEYER, H., RIKLIS, E. Influence of Cations on the Ninhydrin Reaction for the Determination of Amino-Acids. Nature 172, 543 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172543a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/172543a0
This article is cited by
-
Determination of Nitrogen in Proteins by means of Indanetrione Hydrate
Nature (1959)
-
Etude du microdosage de la tyrosine
Microchimica Acta (1957)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.