Determination of primary and secondary amines in foodstuffs using gas chromatography and chemiluminescence detection with a modified thermal energy analyser.

A simple method is described for the determination of primary and secondary amines in foodstuffs by gas chromatography with a modified thermal energy analyser, operated in the nitrogen mode. Food samples were subjected to mineral oil vacuum distillation and the isolated amines were derivatized with benzenesulphonyl chloride to form the corresponding sulphonamides, which were fractionated to yield primary and secondary amine derivatives using a modified Hinsberg procedure. The detection limit for individual amines using a 10-g food sample was 10 micrograms/kg (ppb) and recoveries were in excess of 80%.