The formation of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) was investigated using a kinetic study approach as described by first-order, Arrhenius, and Eyring equations. Chemical model systems with different amino acid precursors (proline, phenylalanine, and glycine) were examined at different times (4, 8, 12, and 16 min) and temperatures (150, 180, 210, 240, and 270 °C). PhIP was detected using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The good fit in first-order suggested that PhIP formation was influenced by the types of amino acids and PhIP concentration significantly increased with time and temperature (up to 240 °C). PhIP was detected in proline and phenylalanine model systems but not in the glycine model system. The phenylalanine model system demonstrated low activation energy (Ea) of 95.36 kJ/mol that resulted in a high rate of PhIP formation (great amount of PhIP formed). Based on the ∆S‡ values both proline and phenylalanine demonstrated bimolecular rate-limiting steps for PhIP formation. Altogether these kinetic results could provide valuable information in predicting the PhIP formation pathway.
Keywords: amino acids and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP); chemical model system; kinetic study.