Rapid and sensitive determination of tryptophan, serotonin and psychoactive tryptamines by thin-layer chromatography/fluorescence detection.
A rapid, sensitive and selective method for the determination of tryptophan (Trp), serotonin (5-HT) and psychoactive tryptamines (PATs) by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with fluorescence detection is proposed. These compounds form fluorophores on the developing plate by heating after spraying with sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide or potassium hexacyanoferrate(III)-sodium hydroxide reagent. Fluorescent spots (vivid blue) were observed by irradiation with ultraviolet light (365 nm). The detection limits of Trp, 5-HT and PATs were in the range from 0.01 microg to 0.06 microg. This method was effectively applied to the detection of confiscated PAT powder and PAT in abusers' urine samples.
Kato
Noriyuki
N
Scientific Crime Laboratory, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, 155-1 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0023, Japan. n-katoh@gd5.so-net.ne.jp
Kojima
Takashi
T
Yoshiyagawa
Shinji
S
Ohta
Hikoto
H
Toriba
Akira
A
Nishimura
Hideo
H
Hayakawa
Kazuichi
K
D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000652:urine; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine
D014363:Tryptamines; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan