Analysis of ATP and Its Breakdown Products in Beef by Reversed‐Phase HPLC

ABSTRACT Analytical conditions for the quantitative determination of adenosine 5′‐triphosphate(ATP), adenosine 5′‐diphosphate(ADP), inosine 5′‐monophosphate(IMP), adenosine 5′‐monophosphate(AMP), hypoxanthine(Hyp), xanthine(Xan), inosine(Ino) and adenosine(Ado) in meat extracts by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were examined. A commercial ODS column with a 5‐μm particle diameter was used, and expeimental parameters affecting the separation were discussed. Peaks in chromatograms of meat extracts were identified by retention time, co‐injection with standards, absorbance ratios and the enzymatic peak shift method. The procedure proposed was adaptable as an indication of freshness of meat.