Quantitative Measurements of Sweat Gland Activity Using the Ninhydrin Method

Pontén, B. Quantitative measurements of sweat gland activity using the ninhydrin method. When a piece of paper is pressed against a sweating surface of the skin, the sweat together with its content of dissolved amino acids is absorbed. The print on the paper forms a pattern which, after evaporation, is represented by the amino acids and other substances. By using the ninhydrin reaction these amino acids can be stained and the print on the paper visualized. The present paper reports on a modification for quantitative analysis. The results are discussed and compared with the findings of earlier authors as regards the onset of sweating, variations in its flow, and similarities and dissimilarities between different skin surfaces.