Analysis of amines in water samples by high performance liquid chromatography-laser induced fluorescence detection

A sensitive high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-laser induced fluorescence detection (LIFD) method was developed for the determination of amines. The derivatization and separation conditions were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, spermidine, putrescine and histamine were analyzed. The limits of detection (LODs) of the three biogenic amines (S/N = 3) were as low as 10(-10) mol/L. This method showed excellent stability. The RSDs of retention times and peak areas of the three biogenic amines were lower than 0.3% and 3%, respectively. This method was applied in biogenic amine analysis in water samples, and the average recoveries were in the range of 94.99% - 104.7%. Furthermore, the amines in seven tea samples were analyzed by this method, and satisfactory results were achieved. The developed assay is of excellent sensitivity and good reproducibility, which can be used in the analysis of the amines in water samples.