Separation and Quantitation of Coproporphyrin and Uroporphyrin in Urine

Abstract Coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin are separated from urine and from each other by absorption onto, and selective elution from, an anion-exchange resin. The two compounds are separated by using solvents differing in both polarity and pH. The porphyrins are then quantitated with an Aminco-Bowman Spectrophotofluorometer equipped with an ellipsoidal mirror and a red-sensitive photomultiplier tube. Porphyrins can be determined in 1 ml of urine from a normal individual.