Compound‐specific δ ¹³ C and δ ¹⁵ N analysis of amino acids: a rapid, chloroformate‐based method for ecological studies

Abstract

This derivatization method is a rapid means of determining carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of amino acids present in the biological materials often sampled for ecological studies. While amino acids with charged or polar side chains do not have uniformly high recoveries, the average precision of measurements is comparable with that of other, more established methods. Batches of samples may be prepared from many raw materials in less than a day, representing a significant reduction in preparation time over prevailing methods.