Abstract
A method for the determination of β-alanine betaine and glycine betaine is described. It is based on an ion-exchange chromatographic separation with a Dowex 50-X12 column and subsequent colorimetric determination of both betaines as reineckate. The recovery was satisfactory, ranging from 97 to 100%. In 7 species of mollusc and 2 species of crustacean estimated by this method, β-alanine betaine was found at a fairly high concentration in the fan-mussel, scallop, and krill and at a very low concentration in the oyster. It was not, however, found in the abalone, hard clam, squid, octopus, or prawn. All of these inverte-brates were rich in glycine betaine. In the tissues of fan-mussel and scallop, glycine betaine was found to be omnipresent at a fairly high level, whereas β-alanine betaine localized in the adductor muscle.
