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Cornstarch and Ninhydrin
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 1:09 pm
by cpatti
I have a case that involves some harassment letters that are covered in cornstarch. Has anyone ever tried to process with Ninhydrin if cornstarch is present?
Re: Cornstarch and Ninhydrin
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 1:41 pm
by SConner
Shake it off? Blow it off? The corn starch isn't going to soak into the paper.
Re: Cornstarch and Ninhydrin
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:35 pm
by Tazman
Experiment already. Buy a box of cornstarch, sprinkle or dust it onto some sheets of copy paper with test prints on the paper, then experiment with shaking it off or blowing the starch off. See if it turns purple or interferes with the ninhydrin.
Re: Cornstarch and Ninhydrin
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:48 pm
by Les Bush
cpatti,
the Ninydrin reaction is about the Nh2 or amine group that is present in the substrate or on the substrate, corn starch Molecular Formula: C27H48O20. No Nitrogen or amine group there so it should be fine with Ninhydrin.