Abstract
A liquid chromatographic procedure has been developed for the separation and quantification of α‐keto acids. The DNPH‐derivatives are separated on a column of LiChrosorb Si‐60 (5 μm), eluted with petroleum ether/ethyl formate/propionic acid (65/35/5, v/v/v), and the column effluent is monitored by UV spectrophotometory at 350 nm. A total analysis of DNPH‐keto acids was completed in less than 10 min. The amount of pyruvic, α‐ketoglutaric, and oxaloacetic acid in ripe banana pulp was 347, 225, and 13 μg/100g fresh weight, respectively. This technique has been used effectively to analyze α‐keto acids in biological samples.