Use of 2-chloroethylnitrosourea, a new type of pre-column derivatizing agent for the measurement of biogenic amines, by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A new type of derivatizing agent 2-chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU) has been developed for biogenic amine determination. The compounds of this family of reagents have a modular structure which allows modification in the type of detection. The derivatization reaction takes 15 min at about 75 degrees C and is brought about by mixing a basic aqueous solution of an amine (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine) with an acetonitrile solution of 2-chloroethylnitrosourea (CENU). This reaction is simple, fast and complete. The derivative obtained is very stable (more than ten days). The selectivity and efficiency of the reaction of CENU on primary amines contribute to the high sensitivity of the method which is thus adapted to the measurement of very low concentrations of biogenic amines. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.