Ninhydrin reacts with free amines but if the amine is bound to some other molecule such as PEG which is further bound to nanoparticles, can Ninhydrin test still be used to estimate the amino groups present?
I have always had the same question. Check this subheading "Optimization of reaction time for the solid supports and comparison with octylamine-based calibration curve" in the attached article. There it says: "Then, 870 μl of 20% aqueous ethanol was added into the reaction mixture to remove the “color” from the solid phases"