Derivatization of Carbonyl Compounds for GC-MS Analysis

Scientists from various institutions in Taiwan collaborated on research to develop a derivatization method for preparing carbonyl compounds for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The compounds - glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone - are associated with the formation of compounds causing uremic toxicity. The goal of the research was to help understand the effects of these compounds in diabetes-related complications. The two-step derivatization of plasma samples from diabetic and healthy individuals enabled simultaneous GC-MS analysis of the carbonyl compounds.