This note describes a determination method for non-volatile putrefactive amines in food using pre-column derivatization.
Putrefactive amines in food are produced by microorganisms. Many of the biogenic amines are known to be responsible for food-poisoning. To determine these amines, HPLC systems coupled with pre-column or post-column derivatization methods are frequently used.
Based on the inspection guideline by Japan Food Hygiene Association, pre-column derivatization method using DNS-Cl (5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl chloride) was adopted in this note. The putrefactive amines were successfully fluorescently derivatized, and the calibration curves showed excellent linearity.