Construction of an ion-exchange amino acid analyser kit for use with high-performance liquid chromatography apparatus

A conventional ion-exchange amino acid analyser kit has been simply and economically constructed for use with existing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) apparatus. Sequential elution conditions are fully programmable by virtue of a 32K BBC microcomputer interfaced with an elution buffer selection valve and a thermostatically controlled column. Post-column derivatization with o-phthaladehyde-2-mercaptoethanol reagent enables fluorimetric detection at the picomole level. The system enables sensitive amino acid analysis of complex mixtures to be carried out by clinical and research laboratories who already possess HPLC apparatus but whose sample turnover does not merit purchase of a dedicated fully automated analyser.