Measurements of polyamines and their acetylated derivatives in cell extracts and physiological fluids by use of an amino acid analyzer.

A fast and sensitive method for the determination of free polyamines and their acetylated derivatives is presented. The separation is carried out on a Durrum DC-6A cation-exchange resin with an automated amino acid analyzer. The determination is based on a step wise elution with a sodium chloride-sodium citrate buffer system. Detection is done by fluorescence of the o-phthaldialdehyde-polyamine conjugates. The sensitivity is in the picomole range. No prior purification step is needed. The method has been applied to cell extracts and urine samples.