Reagent and method using the same

摘要

A ninhydrin reagent for use in a method for analyzing nitrogen-containing compounds, in particular visualizing nitrogen-containing compounds by a color forming reaction, is provided. The ninhydrin reagent contains ninhydrin; an aqueous buffer; and a temperature-dependent reducing agent, which agent is inactive in the reduction of ninhydrin at a first temperature and active in reducing ninhydrin to hydrindantin at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. The reagent is particularly useful in the analysis of amino acids.

主权项

1. A ninhydrin reagent for use in a method for analysing nitrogen-containing compounds, the ninhydrin reagent comprising:
ninhydrin; an aqueous buffer, wherein the ninhydrin reagent has a pH, and wherein the buffer maintains the pH at a value between 4.5 to 5.5; and a temperature-dependent reducing agent, which agent is inactive in the reduction of ninhydrin at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is no greater than 30° C., and active in reducing ninhydrin to hydrindantin at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, further wherein the second temperature is at least 100° C.; and wherein the ninhydrin reagent is essentially free from hydrindantin.