Abstract: A protein or peptide which has an amino-terminus serine or threonine which has an acetylated alpha-amino group is allowed to react with an acid, and then allowed to react with an isothiocyanate under acidic conditions to thereby obtain a thiocarbamyl compound. Then the compound is to be analyzed using Edman degradation. Analysis can be performed with fewer operation steps and without using enzymes.

Abstract: To easily detect an amino acid derivative with high sensitivity in carrying out amino acid sequence analysis of a protein from an amino terminal, 2-anilino-5-thiazolinone amino acid derivative is reacted with a volatile primary amine represented by the general formula X-NH.sub.2, wherein X denotes a hydrocarbon containing a halogen to form a phenylthiocarbamyl amino acid derivative, and the phenylthiocarbamyl amino acid derivative is detected by using a gas chromatograph provided with an ECD. Accordingly, amino acid sequencing may be performed with high sensitivity without the need to use harmful radioisotope labeled or fluorescent amino compounds.

Abstract: A protein or peptide is treated by a vapor containing an organic acid represented by the following general formula CF.sub.3 --(CF.sub.2)n--COOH (n is zero or more integer). The resulting reaction mixture is processed by a mass spectrometer to obtain a mass spectrum to measure a mass of respective chemical species contained in the reaction mixture. Alternatively, the reaction mixture is processed by an amino acid analyzer to determine an amino acid sequence of the protein or peptide from the carboxy-terminal. According to another method, the protein or peptide is treated by an anhydride of the organic acid represented by the following general formula CF.sub.3 --(CF.sub.2)n--COOH (n is zero or more integer). The resulting reaction mixture is processed by a mass spectrometer to obtain a mass spectrum to measure a mass of respective chemical species contained in the reaction mixture to determine an amino acid sequence of the protein or peptide from the carboxy-terminal.

Abstract: An reaction vessel utilizes a sample carrier composed of a magnetic core and a surface coating effective to support sample of protein or peptide. The sample carrier is floated magnetically and positioned within a reaction chamber. Edman reagent is applied to the sample to effect amino acid sequence analysis of protein or peptide from amino-terminal. By such construction, reaction efficiency is increased to produce sequentially thiazolinon amino-acid derivatives to thereby increase number of identified remaining amino acids, thereby enabling microanalysis of sample.

Abstract: A method for detecting amino acid derivatives in which 2-anilino-5-thiazolinone derivatives of amino acids are reacted with an amino compound of fluorescein or rhodamine derivative amino compounds to form phenylthiocarbamyl amino acids derivatives. The phenylithiocarbamyl amino acids derivatives are detected with a high level of sensitivity by a fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Abstract: Peptide or protein are immobilized on a solid surface and exposed to acid mixture for hydrolysis. The acid mixture comprises mainly hydrocloride and trifruoracetic acid. The temperature of it is in the range of 100.degree. to 180.degree. C. The time period of exposing is in the range of 5 to 120 min.

Abstract: A method for detecting amino acid derivatives in which 2-anilino-5-thiazolinone derivatives of amino acids are reacted with radioactive iodine siotope-labeled amino compounds or with fluorescent amino compounds to form phenylthiocarbamyl amino acid derivatives. The phenylthiocarbamyl amino acid derivatives are detected with a high level of sensitivity by a radioactive detector or a fluorescence spectrophotometer.