Determination of L-hydroxyproline in meat protein by quantitative carbon-13 fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry.

13C FTNMR spectroscopy is found to provide an efflcient assay technique for connective tissue in meat, by analysis of Lhydroxyproline in defatted, hydrolyzed meat. The sensitivity of 13C FTNMR spectroscopy is increased by rapid pulsing of highly concentrated vlscous solutions, and quantttative analysis is achieved by comparlng the peak height of C-4 in Lhydroxyproline with that d an internal standard. The technique has dlstinct advantages over exlsting colorimetric and amino-acld analysis prwedures. Most meats and processed meats contain 1 to 2% by weight Lhydroxyproiine of the dry, defatted meat; a quantltative analysis taking 29 mln is found to have a standard deviation of 0.16% at a level of 3.0% w/w Lhydroxyproline using a commercially available spectrometer with 10mm 0.d. NMR tubes and a crystal fitter. Survey spectra of Increased sensitivity are obtalned by shorter or longer observatlon as desired.