| Abstract: | This report describes a convenient means of reducing the complex matrix which is responsible for interference during gas chromatographic determination of amino acids in urine. The pre-chromatographic clean-up employs the principle of solid phase extraction using bonded silica incorporating cation exchange groups. This approach avoids the detrimental effects on amino acid recoveries associated with resin-based cation exchangers. In spite of significant reduction in the complexity of chromatograms, only the high efficiency and resolving power offered by the analytical capillary column (e. g. fused silica open tubular, FSOT) is sufficient for quantitative and analysis of amino acids in urine. Reproducibility data from the complete procedure are determined, coefficients of variation (CV) for most amino acids being better than 5% with a mean recovery of 96%. |
