Amino acid identification by paper chromatography

In this experiment, we use paper chromatography to separate and identify a mixture of three amino acids. Care needs to be taken as it is easy to contaminate the paper with amino acids from the sweat on the skin. We run the chromatogram with the mixture and with six known, individual amino acids. As the amino acids are colourless, we have to develop the chromatogram so that it is possible to see the various spots once they have moved. We use ninhydrin for this purpose. This was seen in the previous experiment. Watch the video, and look carefully at the final, developed chromatogram. Try to decide from the positions and colours of the various spots which three amino acids were present in the mixture. Check your answer using the link below.

Video - identification of the contents of a mixture of amino acids

Chromatogram analysis