USE OF 2-CHLOROETHYLNITROSOUREA, A NEW-TYPE OF PRECOLUMN DERIVATIZINGAGENT FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF BIOGENIC-AMINES, BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION

A new type of derivatizing agent 2-chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU) has b een developed for biogenic amine determination. The compounds of this family of reagents have a modular structure which allows modification in the type of detection. The derivatization reaction takes 15 min at about 75 degrees C and is brought about by mixing a basic aqueous solu tion of an amine (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine) with an acetonitr ile solution of 2-chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU). This reaction is simp le, fast and complete. The derivative obtained is very stable (more th an ten days). The selectivity and efficiency of the reaction of CENU o n primary amines contribute to the high sensitivity of the method whic h is thus adapted to the measurement of very low concentrations of bio genic amines. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.