A Study on the Free Amino Acids in the Urine of the Korean Children

한국 소아뇨(小兒尿)의 유리(遊離)아미노산(酸)에 대한 연구(硏究)

In order to establish a new biochemical parameter to evaluate nuitrtitional status. the present paper presents a paper chromatographic procedure. which enables clear separation of the essential and nonessential free amino acids in the urine without desalting the sample prior to chromatographic analysis The children of school age. showing difference in their body physiques. from the rural and urban areas in Korea were selected in collecting the 24 hour urine specimens. with the following conclusions. (1) A new procedure utilyzing paper chromatographic analysis. without desalting the urine. was proposed to establish a new biochemical parameter for nutritional status by analyzing the ratio of the nonessential to the essential free amino acids in urine. (2) According to the pesent procedure. the ratio obtained with the urban children was proved to be $1.33{\pm}0.18$, whereas that with the rural children was $1.59{\pm}0.24$; suggesting the lower the ratio. the superior the body physiques and nutritional status. (3) The ratio had a statistically significant correlation with the body and sitting heights as well as the body weight. but not with the girth.