Derivatization and chromatographic behavior of the o-phthaldialdehyde amino acid derivatives obtained with various SH-group-containing additives

An overview is presented of HPLC methods currently in use to determine amino acids as their o-phthaldialdyde derivatives in the presence of various SH-group-containing additives. Crucial points that proved to influence the stability of the amino acid OPA derivatives have been discussed in detail: (i) the mol ratios of the OPA–SH-group-containing additive amino acid; (ii) the preparation and storage conditions of the OPA reagents; (iii) the optimum pH conditions for the interactions and elutions; (iv) the behavior of the, believed to be, less stable amino acids, such as glycine, β-alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, histidine, ornithine and lysine.