A simple and rapid method for analyzing the Monascus pigment-mediated degradation of mutagenic 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b] by in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A simple and rapid method is described for analyzing the Monascus pigment-m ediated degradation of 3-hydroxyamino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp- P-2(NHOH)). We used the in-capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). During the electrophoresis, the mutagen and the pigment, due to th eir different migration velocities, mix for a certain period of time to int eract, and then they are separated and quantified. Using this technique, we were able to demonstrate that Trp-P-2(NHOH) is degraded by the pigment. Th e degradation was pigment-dose dependent, and because the pigment was recov ered unchanged, it was deduced that the pigment acted catalytically for the degradation. The entire MEKC procedure takes 8 min. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.