RAPID MICROWAVE-ASSISTED DANSYLATION OF BIOGENIC-AMINES - ANALYSIS BYHIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A fast microwave-assisted dansylation procedure has been developed for the derivatization of biogenic amines prior to HPLC determination. Pu trescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine are quantitatively dansy lated in 5 min using a radiation power of 252 W and a maximum pressure of 3.4 bar inside the reactor. As compared to classical overnight dan sylation, the microwave-assisted procedure is 150-times faster. Data c oncerning repeatability and recovery of method are reported. The metho d was successfully applied to the determination of the above amines in plant tissues. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.