Ninhydrin is a chromogenic analytical probe utilized for the quantification of amino acids and proteins. It is widely employed in amino acid analysis of proteins, where most amino acids, excluding proline, undergo hydrolysis and react with ninhydrin, allowing for their colorimetric quantification following chromatographic separation. Ninhydrin interacts with primary and secondary amines to yield a distinctive blue or purple reaction product, diketohydrindylidene-diketohydrindamine.
- Functions as a chromogenic analytical probe.
- Enables quantification of amino acids.
- Facilitates quantification of proteins.
- Reacts with most amino acids (excluding proline).
- Permits colorimetric quantification post-chromatographic separation.
- Interacts with primary and secondary amines.
- Generates a blue or purple reaction product.