Abstract
The formation of Ruhemann's purple by the reaction of L-lysine and ninhydrin has been studied spectrophotometrically in CTAB and CPB micellar systems in the absence and presence of some inorganic and organic salts at pH=5.0 and temp. = 70 degreesC. The rate of the reaction is appreciably higher than that in aqueous medium. The enhancement has been explained with the pseudo-phase kinetic model. The dependence of the reaction rate on the nature of the side chain present in L-lysine has also been discussed.