Condensation nucleation light scattering detection for biogenic amines separated by ion-exchange chromatography.

A sensitive method of analysis for biogenic amines, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine and an amino acid precursor, histidine is described herein using ion-exchange chromatography and condensation nucleation light scattering detection. The method was successfully used for the analysis of biogenic amines in fish samples. The method offers a number of advantages: fast elution of analytes with no need for mobile phase conductivity suppression, no derivatization and no electrochemical activity for the analyte's detection. The 3 sigma detection limits for these compounds were found to range from 8 to 20 ng/ml.