title: Contamination in HPLC quantified benzaldehyde is from polypropylene microtubes.
abstract: Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO; EC 1.4.3.6) is a copper-containing enzyme predominantly expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells. SSAO deaminates primary amines to produce aldehydes and oxygen peroxides, and may thus play a role in vascular damage. SSAO activity can be quantified by assaying benzaldehyde production using fluorescent derivatisation and separation by HPLC. We performed the derivatisation step in polypropylene or borosilicate glass tubes over 45 min at 95 degrees C. High and obstructing background levels of benzaldehyde were found in one batch of polypropylene vials, as opposed to its alternatives. Treatment and handling of product shipment into the country did not account for introduction of contaminant into packaged vials nor did any reagent used in the assay. We conclude that the source of contamination was most likely due to variation in the commercial production process. Use of borosilicate vials for assays based on aldehyde production and derivatisation is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Menzies School of Health Research, Institute of Advanced Studies, Charles Darwin University, John Mathews Building, Royal Darwin Hospital, Rocklands Drive Tiwi NT 0810, Australia. tomer.shemesh@menzies.edu.au
authors.forename: Tomer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shemesh
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karschimkus
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Rowley
mesh_terms: D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / Q000097:blood; D001547:Benzaldehydes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D011126:Polypropylenes
chemical_list: D001547:Benzaldehydes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D006631:Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing); C032175:benzaldehyde