6533b82bfe1ef96bd128d5b0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Spectrophotometric determination of cystine by formation of an o-phthalaldehyde/N-acetyl-l-cysteine derivative

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Abstract Cystine reacts with o -phthalaldehyde (OPA) in the absence and presence of a thiol compound to yield different compounds. The use of N -acetyl- l -cysteine as thiol leads to the formation of two derivatives, likely simple and double isoindoles, where the disulfide bond remains unbroken. In contrast, mercaptoethanol gives rise to the reduction of the amino acid to form a cysteine derivative. Obtaining cystine isoindoles makes it possible to spectrophotometrically determine the amino acid after Chromatographic separation and is further evidence of the large stabilization effect produced by N -acetyl- l -cysteine in the formation of OPA-thiol derivatives.