Description

The porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and related tetrapyrroles are vital for all living organisms. Natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles are used extensively in foods, cosmetics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medicine. Methods for their separation and characterization therefore, have a very wide area of applications. Yet, there is a dearth of books dedicated to HPLC and HPLC/MS of tetrapyrroles. Lim addresses this problem admirably by providing practical HPLC and HPLC/MS protocols coupled with in-depth chromatographic and mass spectrometric reference data. These are invaluable in the analysis, identification and characterization of porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and other related compounds found in biological and clinical materials. HPLC method development and optimization for coupling to mass spectrometry are also described in rich detail. Sample preparation, and suggestions for avoiding procedural artifacts during extraction of clinical and biological samples are discussed. Clinical biochemists involved in biochemical diagnosis of human porphyrias will find this monograph assuredly helpful, as would analysts, biochemists and chemists involved in the separation, isolation and characterization of natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles. Undoubtedly, Lim has contributed a master-piece containing sufficient background material for beginners and up-to-date references for all researchers in the field.