OBJECTIVE To establish the method for determination of the total amino acid in oyster shell.METHODS Determination of the total amino acids in oyster shell by ultraviolet visible spectrophotome-try.The chromogenic agents were ninhydrin ethanol solution and phosphate buffer.The detection wavelength was 563 nm.RESULTS It showed a good linear relationship of glycine within the range of 20.3-412μg·mL-1(r = 0.9997).The sample recovery was 98.59%,RSD =2.95%(n =6).The total amino acids in oyster shell come from 6 different manufactures and batches were 1.88 mg·g-1,2.24 mg·g-1,1.76 mg·g-1,2.15 mg·g-1,2.03 mg·g-1 and 2.04 mg·g-1 respectively.CONCLUSION The established method is simple,accuracy,sensitivity and repeatability,which was suitable for determination of the total amino acid in oyster shell.