African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Short Communication

Pre-staining thin layer chromatography method for amino acid detection

Ting Qiu, Haixing Li and Yusheng Cao*  
Sino-German Joint Research Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 22 October 2010
  •  Published: 13 December 2010

Abstract

 

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is an analytical method that is used commonly. It usually includes five steps: spotting, separating, drying, spraying/immersing and color development. In this paper, TLC was modified with pre-staining method, which only consisted of 3 steps: spotting, separating and color development. The modified thin layer chromatography can be used for the analysis of amino acids. When compared to the classical thin layer chromatography, the improved method was more rapid and inexpensive and the results obtained were clean and reproducible. However, it is suitable for the high throughput screening of amino acid-producing strains.

 

Key words: Thin layer chromatography, pre-staining, amino acid detection.

Abbreviation

 

Abbreviations: TLC, Thin layer chromatography; HPLC, high performance liquid chromatography; GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid.