Gas-liquid chromatography of isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatives of amino acids on a glass capillary column for quantitative separation in clinical biology.

A gas chromatographic method adapted to routine analysis has been developed for quantitative separation on glass capillary columns for free proteic and other known amino acids normally or abnormally found in physiological fluids. The procedure involves ion-exchange chromatography and isobutyl ester, N(O)-heptafluorobutyrate derivatization of free plasma and urine amino acid samples. Derivatized components were ascertained by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The use of glass for the capillary column is mandatory to achieve qualitative and quantitative analysis of the known occurring amino acids in urine and small plasma samples. Quantitative analysis of several types of human amino acid disorders are presented.