Methylthiohydantoin amino acids: chromatographic separation and comparison to phenylthiohydantoin amino acids

Most phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) amino acids and most methylthiohydantoin (MTH) amino acids may be separated from one another by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using the same sequential development technique with the same two solvents. Similarly, a single solvent system may be used in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate most PTH-amino acids and most MTH-amino acids. When both TLC and HPLC separations are performed on a sample, all MTH-and PTH-amino acids can be uniquely identified. Since many solid-phase protein sequencing techniques generate both MTH-and PTH-amino acids, these analytical systems simplify identification of the amino acid derivatives. Although the chromatographic properties of MTH-and PTH-amino acids are similar, they are not identical (contrary to a previous report).     

Amino acid and vitamin determinations by TLC/HPTLC: review of the current state

Several methods to determine amino acids and vitamins in biological and pharmaceutical samples have been reported. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) finds its place when the relatively costly equipment required by other methods is unavailable. This review covers the 1991–2010 literature on TLC/HPTLC (high performance thin layer chromatography) amino acid and vitamin determinations. It gives an overview of the special features as well as the problems in TLC/HPTLC determinations of amino acids and vitamins. Various chromatographic systems useful in amino acid and vitamin identification, separation and quantitation of are presented in tabular form. Future prospects of TLC/HPTLC for amino acid and vitamin determinations are also discussed.      

Chromatographic determination of amino acids in foods

Amino acids in foods exist in a free form or bound in peptides, proteins, or nonpeptide bonded polymers. Naturally occurring L-amino acids are required for protein synthesis and are precursors for essential molecules, such as co-enzymes and nucleic acids. Nonprotein amino acids may also occur in animal tissues as metabolic intermediates or have other important functions. The development of bacterially derived food proteins, genetically modified foods, and new methods of food processing; the production of amino acids for food fortification; and the introduction of new plant food sources have meant that protein amino acids and amino acid enantiomers in foods can have both nutritional and safety implications for humans. There is, therefore, a need for the rapid and accurate determination of amino acids in foods. Determination of the total amino acid content of foods requires protein hydrolysis by various means that must take into account variations in stability of individual amino acids and resistance of different peptide bonds to the hydrolysis procedures. Modern methods for separation and quantitation of free amino acids either before or after protein hydrolysis include ion exchange chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. Chemical derivatization of amino acids may be required to change them into forms amenable to separation by the various chromatographic methods or to create derivatives with properties, such as fluorescence, that improve their detection. Official methods for hydrolysis and analysis of amino acids in foods for nutritional purposes have been established. LC is currently the most widely used analytical technique, although there is a need for collaborative testing of methods available. Newer developments in chromatographic methodology and detector technology have reduced sample and reagent requirements and improved identification, resolution, and sensitivity of amino acid analyses of food samples.     

TLC of Phenylthiohydantoins of Amino Acids: A Review

Abstract

Proteins are among the most important components of all living systems. Their function range from catalysts 9enzymes) to regulators to structural components. The building blocks and language of proteins are about 20 amino acids (H₂N CHR COOH), linked together By peptide bonds ([sbnd]CO[sbnd]NH[sbnd]) in chains that may consist of a few dozen to more than 1000 amino acides. The determination of primary structure of proteins, namely the sequence (arrangement) of the various amino acids along the chain is still a challenging tast. Edman reaction lies virtually at the core of all modern sequencing strategies [1,2]. The N-terminal polypeptide is first coupled to phenyl isothiocyanate to from the phenylthio carbamyl peptide; this derivative is then cleaved with anhydrous acid to expose a new N-terminus and to release the original N-terminal amino acid as a 5′thiazolinone (Scheme-1). The excess reagents and by products are extracted by an organic solvent wash. The extract of thiazolinone amino acid (obtained either from liquid-phase or solid-phase degration) is evaporated and converted to the phenylhtiohydantion derivative by 5 n HCL/CH₃COOH (1:2 v/v) at 52°C for 50 min. The sample is extracted with ethyl acetate, dried and redissolved in a suitable volume of ethanol for TLC identification. Repetition of this process with identification of the released PTH-amino acidsfro the N-terminal end. For smaller peptides PITC may be used to remove the amino terminal amino acid while a chromphore or fluorophore such as dansyl chloride or DABITC, which react with the newly exposed amino terminus, is used to identify the new amino terminus. Both manual and automated methodologies are currently used for small and large polypeptides which rely upon identification of amino terminal amino acid as PTH derivative. A large number of papers have been and continue to be publihsed on the analysis of the PTH derivatives of amino acides.     

A manual sequence method of peptides and phosphopeptides using 4-(1'-cyanoisoindolyl)phenylisothiocyanate

A method for sequence analysis and identification of phosphoamino acids in peptides based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. The peptides were derivatized with an Edman type reagent, 4-(1'-cyanoisoindolyl)phenylisothiocyanate (CIPIC) and subsequently cleaved to generate stable and fluorescent 4-(1'-cyanoisoindolyl)phenylthiazolinone (CIP-TZ)-amino acids. Several experimental factors that affected derivatization on membranes were examined. Under the optimized conditions, the CIP-TZ derivatives of Try(p), Thr(p) and Ser(p) were obtained and separated from their parent amino acids with baseline resolution using an isocratic elution system. Up to the 4th residue of phosphorylated pentapeptides was successfully identified, whereas phosphoamino acid residues could not be detected by the conventional procedure using phenylisothiocyanate (PITC). The results demonstrated the potential of CIPIC as a derivatization reagent for peptide sequencing and the applicability of the method for the study and identification of phosphoamino acids in peptides.     

Application of iodine-azide reaction for detection of amino acids in thin-layer chromatography

The iodine-azide reaction was employed to TLC detection of sulphur-containing derivatives of protein and some non-protein amino acids. The derivatization reaction with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) took place directly on the plate before the developing step. Subsequently, the plates were sprayed with a mixture of sodium azide and starch solution in NP-TLC and in the case of RP-TLC sodium azide solution with starch incorporated into mobile phase and then exposed to iodine vapour. The spots became visible as white spots on violet-grey background. The obtained detection limits of PTC-derivatives have been compared with other visualizing techniques commonly used in TLC practice (UV254 and iodine vapour). The iodine-azide system has been proved to be the most favourable and enabled to detect quantities per spot in the range of 1-60 pmol (HPTLC) and 3-100 pmol (TLC).     

Edman降解中异硫氰酸苯酯新修饰位点的发现和验证

Edman降解是最早建立的一种用于多肽和蛋白质氨基端测序的方法,该方法现在仍被广泛用于生物化学领域。随着高通量蛋白质组学技术的发展和应用,该方法中的异硫氰酸苯酯反应被用于修饰蛋白质氨基端,并用于检测蛋白质水解位点。但还没有异硫氰酸苯酯是否可以修饰其他氨基酸侧链并影响多肽序列分析的研究。为了探究其修饰其他氨基酸的可能性,本文利用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱（MALDI-TOF-MS）和液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS/MS）研究了异硫氰酸苯酯对一个模型肽的化学修饰。质谱数据解析后发现在高浓度异硫氰酸苯酯的反应条件下,组氨酸上可以引入一个新的异硫氰酸苯酯修饰位点。这一修饰位点的发现预示着通过改变实验条件或分析方法,可以更准确地利用Edman降解和蛋白质组学技术分析多肽和蛋白质。     

Resolution of multicomponent mixture of amino acids using environmentally benign eluents: A green chromatographic approach

A new green TLC has been used for identifying and monitoring the migration behavior of amino acids through silica and kieselguhr static flat bed in contact of n-butyl alcohol, ethyl acetate or ethylene glycol and their mixtures. From the point of view of chromatographic performance, a mixture of n-butyl alcohol-70% aqueous ethylene glycol-ethyl acetate ratio 5:3:2 by volume proves to be more efficient than the individual components for separation of amino acids from their binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures and the chromatographic parameters like ΔR(F) , separation factor (α) and resolution (R(S) ) for the separation were calculated. Effect of the presence of foreign substances such as metal cations, anions, vitamins and pesticides as impurities in the sample on the separation was also examined. Effect of substitution of butanol by various alcohols has been examined to assess the impact of hydrophobicity of alcohols on the separation of amino acids. The limits of detection for tyrosine, tryptophan, alanine, isoleucine, methionine and serine were found to be 0.10?μg/spot, whereas for lysine it is 0.05?μg/spot. Application of the selected TLC system for the identification and separation of amino acids present in drugs/pharmaceuticals has been performed.     

Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of protein amino acids as N-isobutyloxycarbonylamino acid methyl esters.

A practical method for the quantitative determination of protein amino acids by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) is described. All of the common protein amino acids except arginine can be readily converted into their N-isobutyloxycarbonyl (N-isoBOC) methyl ester derivatives by a simple procedure involving isobutyloxycarbonylation with isobutyl chloroformate in aqueous medium, followed by methylation with diazomethane. Arginine was converted into N-isoBOC ornithine methyl ester by treatment with arginase, followed by the above derivatization procedure. The resulting N-isoBOC methyl esters of the amino acids have good GLC properties. Complete resolution of the derivatives of 20 protein amino acids was achieved by using a dual-column system consisting of a 0.65% Poly-A-101A column and a 0.70% FFAP-Poly-A-101A (1:1, w/w) column. The reproducibility of response was found to be good for derivatives carried through the entire chemical and chromatographic procedure. The calibration graphs were linear and showed no statistical bias. The results of recovery experiments with synthetic mixtures containing known amounts of the amino acids were satisfactory, the recoveries ranging from 94.3 to 106.2%.     

Determination of amino acids by precolumn derivatization with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate and high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A precolumn derivatization method for the determination of amino acids using 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hyroxy-succinimidyl carbamate (AQC) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Ultraviolet detection was used for the assay of AQC derivatives of amino acids with the detection wavelength set at 248 nm. The reagent peak interference was minimized by optimizing the pH of the eluent and the gradient elution profile to improve the resolution between the reagent peak and amino acid derivatives. All nineteen amino acids were separated in 35 min with resolutions 1.6. The correlation coefficients of the calibration graphs for seventeen amino acids were fairly good (r 0.9999) at concentrations of 25–500 μM. The detection limits for all common amino acids including cystine and trytophan were at the range of 0.07–0.3 pmol. Good reproducibility and accuracy of the method were demonstrated by the determination of amino acids in three typical kinds of samples (protein, peptide and feed.) The average relative standard deviations for bovine serum albumin (BSA) and neuromedin were 0.86% and 1.36, respectively, and the average relative errors were 3.2% and 2.3%, respectively. The results of the analysis of feed hydrolysates agreed with those obtained by an ion-exchange method and the average recovery of the method for feed hydrolysates was 98%.     

On-target sample preparation of 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate-derivatized peptides using AnchorChip Targets

De novo sequencing of tryptic peptides by post source decay (PSD) or collision induced dissociation (CID) analysis using MALDI TOF-TOF instruments is due to the easy interpretation facilitated by the introduction of N-terminal sulfonated derivatives. Recently, a stable and cheap reagent, 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate (SPITC), has been successfully used for N-terminal derivatization. Previously described methods have always used desalting and concentration by reverse-phase chromatography prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Here we present an on-target sample preparation method based on AnchorChip target technology. The method was optimized for reduction of by-products and sensitivity with SPITC-derivatized tryptic BSA peptides, and successfully applied to protein identification from silver-stained two-dimensional electrophoretic gels of fish liver extracts. The method is simple and sensitive and allowed protein identification based on de novo sequencing and BLAST search from species with limited sequence information.     

New chiral derivatization reagent for the resolution of amino acids as diastereomers by TLC and HPLC

Summary The applicability of a new chiral reagent to the resolution of amino acid enantiomers has been investigated. The new reagent, S(-)-N-1-(2-naphthylsulphonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarbonyl chloride (NSP-C1), was synthesized by the chlorination of S(-)-N-1-(2-naphthylsulphonyl)-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid which was prepared by the reaction of 2-naphthalene sulphonyl chloride with L-proline. Derivatization of the amino acids proceeds rapidly at ambient temperature and no racemization takes place during the reaction. The resolution of the diastereomeric amides was performed by TLC and normal phase HPLC. Complete resolutions were observed for the enantiomers of all amino acids examined except cysteine, cystine and histidine. The favourable UV absorption of the derivatives enabled the optical antipode to be determined down to the 0.1% level.     

Separation of amino acids, their derivatives and enantiomers by impregnated TLC

The present state of TLC with respect to separation of amino acids, their different derivatives and their enantiomers by the technique of impregnation is discussed. The main approaches to impregnation viz. mixing of a suitable reagent with the adsorbent prior to plate-making, immersion of the untreated plate in the solution of impregnating reagent prior to development, and modification of the adsorbent, have been identified and discussed for each class of these compounds. The role of impregnation in resolving enantiomers or in improving the separation of mixtures of amino acids or their derivatives in terms of ion pairing, complex formation, ligand exchange or other steric interactions has been elaborated in each category.     

Seperation of protein amino acids as their N(O)-Acyl alkyl ester derivatives on glass capillary columns

A comparison of the elution properties of the major protein amino acids as their N(O)-acyl alkyl ester derivatives (O-n-propyl, -n-butyl, -isopentyl; N(O)-trifluoroacetyl, -heptafluorobutyryl) on open-tubular glass capillary columns coated with SE-30, OV-17, OV-210 and EGA is described. A single-column separation to the baseline of the protein amino acids as their N(O)-heptafluorobutyryl n-butyl ester derivatives in less than 35 min was obtained on the SE-30 column. OV-210 columns have properties complementary to those of SE-30 columns and can be used as an aid to compound identification from retention time data. Separations of the amino acids from beer and dialysate from uremic patients are used to illustrate the practical posibilities of the method.     

Effect of halides on the TLC resolution of amino acids below their isoelectric points

TLC of a fifteen component mixture of amino acids has been carried out in two ways; firstly, the amino acids were treated with halides below their isoelectric points and chromatographed on plain silica plates, and secondly the amino acids in their cationic forms were chromatographed on silica plates impregnated with halides, keeping the same solvent system. The resolution is considered to be affected by hydrophobic interactions between silica gel and amino acid molecule and by the polarity and the flow of the mobile phase. The method provides resolution of 10–11 amino acids from the fifteen component mixture.     

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic separation and fluorescent detection of amino acids derivatized with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole

Another method has been developed for the separation of amino acids (1 min derivatization plus 22 min separation) by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Interestingly enough, such work has never been performed on essential amino acids derivatized by 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F). Fifteen L-amino acid standards were labelled with NBD-F at 60 degrees C for 1 min, and separated in a buffer system containing 20 mM borate, 25 mM sodium cholate, 10 mM Brij 35 and 2.5% methanol. Methanol was employed to expand the MECC migration time window; whereas Brij 35 was used to improve the fluorescence intensity of amino acid derivatives. This method also indicates that bile salt is effective for MECC separation of ionic analytes. Surprising though, improvements in resolution, sensitivity and speed for amino acids analysis are obtained in this work, which are not initially apparent in just employing another derivatizing reagent. Under optimal conditions, 15 amino acids were separated in a short 22 min analysis time, the shortest ever reported, and detection limits of nanomolar concentration and attomole mass were obtained. Furthermore, RSDs of migration time and peak height are better than 1% and 1.8%, respectively, again the smallest ever reported in the literature.     

Optimisation of derivatisation procedures for the determination of delta13C values of amino acids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry

Compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis of amino acids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) is a highly selective and sensitive method for probing the biosynthetic/diagenetic pathways, pool size and turnover rates of proteins, previously intractable to bulk isotope analyses. However, amino acids are polyfunctional, non-volatile compounds which require derivatisation prior to GC analysis. While a wide range of derivatives exist for the GC analysis of amino acids only a handful have been utilised for their GC/C/IRMS analysis. Significantly, none of those derivatives currently employed appear completely satisfactory and a thorough assessment of their relative utility is lacking. Seven derivatives (three previously reported and four novel) for obtaining delta(13)C values of amino acids via GC/C/IRMS analysis were compared. More specifically, standard mixtures of 15 protein amino acids were converted into N-acetylmethyl (NACME) esters, N-acetyl n-propyl (NANP) esters, N-acetyl i-propyl (NAIP) esters, N-trifluoroacetyl-i-propyl (TFA-IP) esters, N-pivaloyl methyl (NPME) esters, N-pivaloyl n-propyl (NPNP) esters and N-pivaloyl i-propyl (NPIP) esters. Each derivative was assessed with respect to its applicability to carbon isotope determinations of all the common alpha-amino acids, reaction yield, chromatographic resolution, stability, analyte-to-derivative carbon ratio, kinetic isotope effects and errors associated with their carbon isotope determinations. The NACME derivative was concluded to be the preferred derivative mainly due to the highest analyte-to-derivative carbon ratio being achieved, resulting in the lowest analytical errors for amino acid delta(13)C value determinations, ranging from +/-0.6 per thousand for phenylalanine, leucine and isoleucine to +/-1.1 per thousand for serine and glycine.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of selected amino acids in rat brain by precolumn derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate

We describe here a simple, sensitive, selective and reproducible assay method for quantitative determination of aspartate, glutamate, serine, glutamine, glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid in rat brain using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The method is based upon formation of phenylthiocarbamyl derivatives of the amino acids. Good resolution of the six amino acids and the internal standard norvaline is achieved within 40 min. Other amino acids which have been reported to be present in rat brain do not interfere with the analysis. Standard curves for each of the amino acids exhibited good linearity (r greater than 0.9993) over the range 0.5-20 nmol. The coefficient of variation for the intra-day and inter-day determinations ranged from 0.4% at the highest to 11% at the lowest concentration limit. Storage of whole brains at -0 degrees C for up to 8 weeks did not affect mean concentrations of the six amino acids.     

HPLC Determination of Amino Acids by Pre-Column Fluorescence Derivatization with Carbazole-9-yl-Acetyl Chloride

Atpresentseparationsandquantitativedeterminationsofaminoacidsbymeansofnewfluorescencereagentsforpre-columnorpost-columnderivatizationinRP-HPLCarestillanactivefiled,developmentshavingbeensummarizedbySnyder'.MostaminoacidsdonotshowUVabsorptionin220-254urn,henceinordertoincreasedetectionsensitivityandimproveselectivity,generallyderivatizationreagentsareemployed.Phenylisothiocyanate(PITC)',OPAand3,5-dinitrobenzoylchloride3arewellknownderivatizationreagefltsforthedeterminationofaminocompounds…     

A GC-ECD method for estimation of free and bound amino acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, salicylic acid, and acetyl salicylic acid from Solanum lycopersicum (L.)

A gas chromatograph with electron capture detection method for estimation of selected metabolites--amino acids (free and bound), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), salicylic acid (SA), and acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) from tomato--is reported. The method is based on nitrophenylation of the metabolites by 1-fluoro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene under aqueous alkaline conditions to form dinitophenyl derivatives. The derivatives were stable under the operating conditions of GC. Analysis of bound amino acids comprised perchloric acid precipitation of protein, alkylation (carboxymethylation) with iodoacetic acid, vapor-phase hydrolysis, and derivatization with 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in that order. The metabolites were resolved in 35 min, using a temperature-programmed run. The method is rapid, sensitive, and precise. It easily measured the typical amino acids (aspartate, asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, alanine, leucine, lysine, and phenylalanine) used for identification and quantification of a protein, resolved amino acids of the same mass (leucine and isoleucine), satisfactorily measured sulfur amino acid (methionine, cystine, and cysteine), and quantified GABA, SA, and ASA, as well. The developed method was validated for specificity, linearity, and precision. It has been applied and recommended for estimation of 25 metabolites from Solanum lycopersicum (L.).