2018-2019 Faculty Research Grants
Lisa Ahlberg (Chemistry)
High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Method Development for Analysis of Amino Acids
L-amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in eukaryotic organisms; these amino acids will undergo racemization over time to reach equilibrium with their D counterpart. We would like to apply this information and using reversed-phase High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), analyze protein degradation within samples of avian eggshells by observing the racemization of amino acids from eggshells that have been treated under various conditions to replicate possible environmental effects. This methodology will allow detection of amino acids in many samples that could lead to determination of the age of an eggshell or a better understanding of what type of environmental forces have been affecting the area where the egg shells were found. We are working to develop a robust HPLC methodology to apply to different samples provided by our collaborators. We will determine solvent system, detection limits, and sample preparation from the calcium carbonate matrix of the eggshell.