ninhydrin
/nɪnˈhʌɪdrɪn
/noun [mass noun] Chemistry
A synthetic crystalline compound which forms deeply coloured products with primary amines and is used in analytical tests for amino acids.
- A ketone derivative of indene; chemical formula: C9H6O4.
- The clone expressing the g lactamase forms some amino acid product - this is readily detected by staining with ninhydrin.
- After the chromatography was complete, dried plates were sprayed with a solution of 2% ninhydrin in acetone (w/v), followed by heating.
Origin
Early 20th century: from nin- (of unknown origin) + hydro- + -in1.