Methods and kits for the derivatization of a biogenic amine

The invention relates to analytical chemistry, in particular to means and methods for the quantitative determination of derivatized biogenic amines, precursors or metabolites thereof. Provided is a method for the in situ derivatization of at least one biogenic amine, precursor or metabolite thereof in an isolated aqueous sample, the derivatization comprising the steps of: (i) contacting said sample with a propionic anhydride / acetonitril solution in the presence of a phosphate buffer having a pH in the range of 7.0 to 9.0 and allowing the conversion of amine and/or hydroxyl moieties of said biogenic amine or metabolite thereof to form a propionyl derivative of said biogenic amine; followed by (ii) adding to the reaction mixture obtained in step (i) a carbodiimide compound and an electrophilic amine-containing compound, and allowing the carbodiimide-mediated derivatization of carboxylic acid moieties of a biogenic amine, precursor or metabolite thereof.