Contamination in HPLC quantified benzaldehyde is from polypropylene microtubes

• Published in: Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences, 2005-11, Vol.826 (1), p.277-278
• Main Authors: Shemesh, Tomer, Karschimkus, Connie, Rowley, Kevin G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) - blood; Analysis; Analytical, structural and metabolic biochemistry; Benzaldehyde; Benzaldehydes - analysis; Benzaldehydes - standards; Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - instrumentation; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Equipment Contamination; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General pharmacology; Glass; HPLC; Humans; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polypropylenes; Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase
• ISSN: 1570-0232; 1873-376X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2005.09.003

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO; EC 1.4.3.6) is a copper-containing enzyme predominantly expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells. SSAO deaminates primary amines to produce aldehydes and oxygen peroxides, and may thus play a role in vascular damage. SSAO activity can be quantified by assaying benzaldehyde production using fluorescent derivatisation and separation by HPLC. We performed the derivatisation step in polypropylene or borosilicate glass tubes over 45 min at 95 °C. High and obstructing background levels of benzaldehyde were found in one batch of polypropylene vials, as opposed to its alternatives. Treatment and handling of product shipment into the country did not account for introduction of contaminant into packaged vials nor did any reagent used in the assay. We conclude that the source of contamination was most likely due to variation in the commercial production process. Use of borosilicate vials for assays based on aldehyde production and derivatisation is recommended.