Determination of methionine sulfoxide in protein and food by hydrolysis with p-toluenesulfonic acid

Methionine sulfoxide in peptides and proteins was determined by use of 3 n, p-toluenesulfonic acid as a hydrolyzing agent. Samples were hydrolyzed at 110°C for 22 h in an evacuated sealed tube and analyzed for amino acid content. Amino acid analysis showed that the recovery of methionine sulfoxide from a synthetic peptide and its mixture with proteins was consistently better than 90%. The recovery of all other amino acids except tryptophan was complete, and was similar to that observed after hydrolysis with 6 n HCl. The presence of carbohydrates had no effect on the yield. Thus, the present procedure can be used for general and simultaneous determination of methionine sulfoxide as well as other amino acids in proteins.