Rapid determination of β-aminoisobutyric acid by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract For the determination of β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) in urine samples in which the β-alanine concentrations are higher than those of BAIBA, the resolution between these two amino acids, separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column, was optimized. The chromatographic analysis included precolumn derivatization of amino acids with o -phthalaldehyde, followed by a 15-min isocratic elution and detection at 340 nm. Because of its simplicity, this method should be useful for monitoring urinary excretion of BAIBA.