Original Research Article Determination of Amino Acids in Medicinal Plants from

Purpose: To analyze the amino acid contents of some plants used in traditional medicine in Southern Sonora, Mexico by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Methods: The plant samples (Jutuki, Zizyphus obtusifolia A.Gray; Jito, Forchammeria watsonii Rose; Barchata, Lycium berlandieri Dunal; Citabaro, Vallesia glabra Link; Mangle Rojo, Rhizophora mangle L and Tatachinole, Tournefortia hartwegiana Steud) were dehydrated at room temperature and ground to a fine powder. Amino acid analysis was performed by reversed-phase HPLC. Elution was carried out with a gradient mobile phase of sodium acetate 0.1 M and methanol (9:1). Samples were derived with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) and detected by fluorescence at 360(Ex)/455(Em) wavelengths. Results: HPLC analysis resulted in a reliable detection and peak resolution. Tatachinole samples show the greater amino acid concentration (7.83 to 58.17 nM). Fifteen amino acids were detected in plan