Paper chromatographic identification of catecholamines

Abstract

An ascending paper chromatographic technique for distinction of epinephrine and noreplnephrine in the biological specimen from 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), 3,4-dlhydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine), a-methyl 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ([alpha]-methyl dopa), nor-metanephrine, ethyl ester of [alpha] -methyl dopa, metanephrine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy mandelic acid is described. The mean Rj- values of these compounds, with solvent systems consisting of phenol, 0.2 [image] acetic acid, and alcohol, are presented. It was found that a solvent system of phenol :0.2 [image] acetic acid:n-butanol (85:11:14) gave optimal separation of catechol compounds. The method provided a clear separation of catechol compounds in the urine of a patient with a pheochromo-cytoma, identification of [alpha]-methyl dopa in a patient''s urine and plasma during treatment with the agent, and identification of catecholamines in a dog''s myocardial and adrenal tissue extracts. Mechanisms related to the interference by other catechol compounds during spectrofluorimetric identification of catecholamines and the advantages of the paper chromatographic method for qualitative identification in biological specimens are discussed.