HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF BIOGENIC-AMINES

Different chromatographic modes and detection systems used for the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the biogenic amines are here reviewed. General features of cationic exchange, reversed-phase, ion-pair reversed phase, ion-pair reversed-phase partition chromatography are indicated. UV, fluorometry based on native fluorescence or on pre- and post-column derivatization, and electrochemical detection are also comparatively analysed for the detection of these compounds. Application examples in the biochemical-clinical area are given. Thus, homovanillinic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in cerebrospinal fluid; metanephrines, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, catecholamines, urinary acids and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in urine; catecholamines and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in plasma; catecholamines, 3-methory-4-hydroxyphenylgycol and other neurotransmisors in rat brain were analysed. Pretreatment requirements particularly of urine and plasma as well as conservation conditions and their incidence in the results are also discussed.