What is the purpose of running a derivatization blank with a batch of amino acid samples? - WKB117473

ENVIRONMENT

• Amino acid analysis (AAA)
• AccQ•Tag
• Pico•Tag

ANSWER

Derivatizing a blank is helpful in the following ways:

a) To look for any baseline contamination that may interfere with the chromatography and results.

b) To compare with an underivatized blank to ascertain if the contamination is non-amine.

c) To use as an evaluation tool for troubleshooting problems that would stem from inadequate derivatization (i.e., low recovery of lysine, alanine).

d) The derivatization blanks are used to help equilibrate the column. Two or three derivatization blanks are run through the gradient.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information, see What are the amino acids that are sensitive to stressed derivatization conditions? and What can cause inadequate or incomplete derivatization of amino acids by AccQ-Tag reagent?