Australia's Science Forum

Hi Everyone!!

Does anyone have a simple prac that uses ninhydrin to detect Amino acids. This is part of the forensic chemistry elective for HSC Chemistry. I have the "Laboratory"version but was wondering if their are any methods out there that are tried and true.

Thanks Lorrae

We use chromotography paper or plates and

1% sol of known various amino acids plus an unknown amino acid spotted on to it

the solvent n-butanol (120ml) + glacial acetic acid (30ml) + distilled water (60ml)

left over night and then

a 2% solution of ninhydrin in acetone is used to develop the spots

works well for us and very easy

Hi Bernie,

That sounds easy . I'll think we'll have a go at it. Thanks for the info!

Lorrae