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Explain the ninhydrin reaction and how it can distinguish common α-amino acids from proline-like imino acids.
Answer
Ninhydrin oxidatively deaminates the α-amino function, producing an aldehyde, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and reduced ninhydrin. Ammonia reacts with ninhydrin and hydrindantin to form purple Ruhemann’s purple, measurable at 570 nm. Proline and hydroxyproline yield bright yellow products with an absorption maximum at 440 nm.
Explanation
Ninhydrin provides a means to detect and quantify amino acids through a colored reaction product. Most α-amino acids produce purple Ruhemann’s purple, whereas proline and hydroxyproline produce yellow products, allowing a distinction by color and absorption maximum. **Key takeaway:** Ninhydrin color responses can identify amino-acid classes. **Glossary:** Oxidative deamination: removal of an amino group during an oxidation reaction.
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