Optimization of experimental variables in the dabsyl chloride derivatization of biogenic amines for their determination by RP-HPLC

Summary In the last few years special attention has been paid to the pre-column derivatization of biogenic amines with dabsyl chloride because proper experimental conditions for this reaction are very important. In this study, an experimental design (Doehlert design) was used to optimize the variables involved in the dabsylation of the following amines: histamine, tyramine, phenylethylamine, tryptamine, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine. The optimum experimental conditions for forming the dabsyl derivatives are: reagent concentration, 1.75.10⁻³ M; pH, 8.2; temperature, 70°C; heating time (t _h ), 21 min. Under these conditions good chromatographic repeatability is obtained.