Ninhydrin

Ninhydrin reacts with primary and secondary amines producing a blue or purple reaction product (diketohydrindylidene-diketohydrindamine). Ninhydrin is commonly used for the development of fingermarks on porous surfaces and is often used in comparison with other latent fingerprint techniques. Studies have indicated that Ninhydrin may be useful for detecting ninhydrin-reactive nitrogens in soil for forensic applications. Other studies have indicated that the color developed after reaction of Ninhydrin and amino acids can vary depending on the composition and type of amino acids. Additionally noted to be useful in the analysis of free amino groups in proteins, peptides and amino acids. Slightly soluble in ether or chloroform.