Derivatization techniques for automated chromatographic analysis of amphetamine using o-phthaldialdehyde: a comparative study

The potential of different chromatographic systems for automated, on-line a nalysis of amphetamine in biological fluids is illustrated. The various sys tems integrate analyte purification and enrichment, separation, derivatizat ion in different derivatization modes with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and N-a cetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and fluorimetric detection. The reliability of the systems has been tested by analysing urine and plasma samples containing am phetamine in the 0.1 -20.0 mu g mL(-1) range. Pre, on and post-column deriv atization strategies are compared in terms of their instrumental requiremen ts, selectivity, sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility.