E-Book Overview
A collection of classic and cutting-edge techniques of high utility in answering specific biological questions about amino acids. Common methods include those based on HPLC or gas chromatography separation and analysis after precolumn derivatization. New techniques based on capillary electrophoresis separation, high-performance anion exchange chromatography, and mass spectrometry are also presented. Each method is described in step-by-step detail to ensure successful experimental results and emphasizes sample preparation, particularly the collection and storage of bodily fluids. Up-to-date and highly practical, Amino Acid Analysis Protocols offers analytical and clinical chemists, as well as a broad range of biological and biomedical investigators, a rich compendium of laboratory tools for the productive analysis of both common and uncommon amino acids.
E-Book Content
Methods in Molecular Biology
TM
VOLUME 159
Amino Acid Analysis Protocols Edited by
Catherine Cooper Nicolle Packer Keith Williams
HUMANA PRESS
Amino Acid Analysis
1
1 Amino Acid Analysis An Overview Margaret I. Tyler 1. Importance and Utility Amino acids are found either in the free state or as linear chains in peptides and proteins. There are 20 commonly occurring amino acids in proteins, which are shown in Table 1. Amino acid analysis has an important role in the study of the composition of proteins, foods, and feedstuffs. Free amino acids are also determined in biological material, such as plasma and urine, and in fruit juice and wine. When it is performed on a pure protein, amino acid analysis is capable of identifying the protein (2,3, and Chapter 8 in this volume), and the analysis is also used as a prerequisite for Edman degradation and mass spectrometry and to determine the most suitable enzymatic or chemical digestion method for f