Determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with amperometric detection

A micellar electrokinetic chromatographic system (MEKC) with amperometric detection was utilised to separate eight heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA), which have been shown to be produced during heat processing of protein rich food. The electrolyte consisted of 15 mM borax adjusted to pH 9.1 with phosphoric acid and 5 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Baseline separation was obtained within 7 min. Detection limits were at the level of 10 mu g/l (3 fg), using a carbon fibre disc electrode at a potential of 0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The method was applied to the quantitative estimation of mutagenic amines in a pan residue extract.