Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of N-heptafluorobutyryl isobutyl esters of amino acids in the analysis of the kinetics of (/sup 15/N)H/sub 4//sup +/ assimilation in Lemna minor L

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1981 · Plant Physiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5632311

Rhodes, D; Myers, A C; Jamieson, G

Rapid, sensitive, and selective methods for the determination of the /sup 15/N abundance of amino acids in isotopic tracer experiments with plant tissues are described and discussed. Methodology has been directly tested in an analysis of the kinetics of (/sup 15/N)H/sub 4//sup +/ assimilation in Lemna minor L. The techniques utilize gas chromatography-mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring of major fragments containing the N moiety of N-heptafluorobutyryl isobutyl esters of amino acids. The ratio of selected ion pairs at the characteristic retention time of each amino acid derivative can be used to calcuulate /sup 15/N abundance with an accuracy of +/- 1 atom % excess /sup 15/N using samples containing as little as 30 picomoles of individual amino acids. Up to 11 individual amino acid derivatives can be selectively monitored in a single chromatogram of 30 minutes. It is suggested that these techniques will be useful in situations where the small quantities of N available for analysis have hitherto hindered the use of /sup 15/N-labeled precursors.

• Research Organization: Zoecon Corp., Palo Alto, CA
• OSTI ID: 5632311
• Journal Information: Plant Physiol.; (United States), Vol. 68:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
AMMONIA
UPTAKE
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
ESTERS
MEASURING METHODS
NITROGEN 15
PLANTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
KINETICS
LIGHT NUCLEI
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NITROGEN ISOTOPES
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
STABLE ISOTOPES
550201* - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques