Separation of amino acids and amines by capillary electrophoresis using poly(ethylene oxide) solution containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

We describe simultaneous analysis of naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA)-amino acid and amine derivatives by capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) detection using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) containing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). In the presence of CTAB and acetonitrile (ACN), adsorption of PEO on the capillary wall is suppressed, leading to generation of a fast and reproducible electroosmotic flow (EOF). In order to optimize separation resolution and speed, 100 mM Tris–borate solution (pH 7.0) containing 20 mM CTAB and 25% ACN was used to fill the capillary and to prepare 1.2% PEO that entered the capillary via EOF. The analysis of 14 NDA-amino acid and -amine derivatives by this approach is rapid (< 4 min), efficient ((0.9–6.4) × 10⁵ theoretical plates), and sensitive (the LODs (S/N = 3) range from 9.5 to 50.5 nM). The RSD values (n = 5) of the migration times and peak heights of the analytes for the intraday analysis are less than 1.5 and 1.2%, respectively. We have validated the practicality of this approach by quantitative determination of 10 amino acids and amines in a beer samples within 4 min.     

Analysis of amino acids and biogenic amines in breast cancer cells by capillary electrophoresis using polymer solutions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate

We describe simultaneous analysis of naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA)-amino acid and NDA-biogenic amine derivatives by CE in conjunction with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection using poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solutions containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). After sample injection, via EOF 0.1% PEO prepared in 100 mM TB solution (pH 9.0) containing 30 mM SDS entered a capillary filled with 0.5 M TB solution (pH 10.2) containing 40 mM SDS. Under this condition, 14 NDA-amino acid and NDA-amine derivatives were separated within 16 min, with high efficiency ((1.0–3.2) × 10⁵ theoretical plates) and sensitivity (LODs at S/N = 3 ranging from 2.06 to 19.17 nM). In the presence of SDS and PEO, analytes adsorption on the capillary wall was suppressed, leading to high efficiency and reproducibility. The intraday analysis RSD values (n = 3) of the mobilities for the analytes are less than 0.52%. We have validated the practicality of this approach by quantitative determination of 9 amino acids in breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and 10 amino acids in normal epithelial cells (H184B5F5/M10). The concentrations of Tau and Gln in the MCF-7 cells were different than those in the H184B5F5/M10 cells, respectively. Our results show the potential of this approach for cancer study.     

Stacking, derivatization, and separation by capillary electrophoresis of amino acids from cerebrospinal fluids

This paper describes the in-column derivatization, stacking, and separation of amino acids by CE in conjunction with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence using naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA). According to the relative electrophoretic mobilities and the migration direction in tetraborate solution (pH 9.3), the injection order is cyanide, then amino acids, then NDA. Once poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) migrates through the capillary under EOF, the amino acid.NDA derivatives, amino acids, and CN- ions migrating against the EOF enter the PEO zone. As a result of increases in viscosity and possible interactions with PEO molecules, the reagents/analytes slow down such that they become stacked at the boundary. In comparison with the off-column approach to the analysis of amino acids, our proposed method provides a lower degree of interference from polymeric NDA compounds and other side products. As a result, the plot of the peak height as a function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration is linear over the range from 10(-5) to 10(-8) M, with the LOD being 4 nM. We demonstrate the diagnostic potential of this approach for the determination of amino acids, including GABA and glutamine, in biological samples through the analysis of large volumes of cerebral spinal fluids without the need for sample pretreatment.     

Stacking and separation of aspartic acid enantiomers under discontinuous system by capillary electrophoresis with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection

We describe the stacking and separation of d- and l-aspartic acid (Asp) by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection (LEDIF). In the presence of cyanide, d- and l-Asp were derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) to form fluorescent derivatives prior to CE-LEDIF. The separation of NDA-derivatized d- and l-Asp was accomplished using a discontinuous system - buffer vials contained a solution of 0.6% poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), 150 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 60 mM hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (Hp-β-CD), while a capillary was filled with a solution of 150 mM SDS and 60 mM Hp-β-CD. The role of PEO, Hp-β-CD, and SDS is to act as a concentrating media, as a chiral selector, and as a pseudostationary phase, respectively. This discontinuous system could be employed for the stacking of 600 nL of NDA-derivatized d- and l-Asp without the loss of chiral resolution. The stacking mechanism is mainly based on the difference in viscosity between sample zone and PEO as well as SDS sweeping. The limits of detection at signal-to-noise of 3 for d- and l-Asp were down to 2.4 and 2.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M, respectively. Compared to normal sample injection volume (25 nL), this stacking approach provided a 100- and 110-fold improvement in the sensitivity of d- and l-Asp, respectively. This method was further applied for determining d- and l-Asp in cerebrospinal fluid, soymilk, and beer.     

Stacking and separation of fluorescent derivatives of amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide)

A new approach for the analysis of large-volume naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) derivatives of amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) in conjunction with a purple light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection is described. In order to optimize resolution, speed, and stacking efficiency, a discontinuous condition is essential for the analysis of NDA-amino acid derivatives. The optimum conditions use 2.0M TB (pH 10.0) buffer containing 40mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to fill the capillary, deionized water to dilute samples, and 200mM TB (pH 9.0) containing 10mM SDS to prepare 0.6% poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Once high voltage is applied, PEO solution enters the capillary via electroosmotic flow and SDS micelles interact and thus sweep the NDA-amino acid derivatives having smaller electrophoretic mobilities than that of SDS micelles in the sample zone. When the aggregates between SDS micelles and NDA amino acid derivatives enter PEO zone, they are stacked due to decrease in electric field and increases in viscosity. Under the optimum conditions, the concentration and separation of 0.53-microL 13 NDA-amino acid derivatives that are negatively charged has been demonstrated by using a 60-cm capillary, with the efficiencies 0.3-9.0x10(5) theoretical plates and the LODs at signal-to-noise ratio 3 ranging from 0.30 to 2.76nM. When compared to standard injection (30-cm height for 10s), the approach allows the sensitivity enhancements over the range of 50-800 folds for the derivatives. The new approach has been applied to the analysis of a red wine sample, with great linearity of fluorescent intensity against concentrations (R(2)>0.98) and the RSD (three repetitive runs in one day) values of the migration times for the ten identified amino acids less than 2.8%.     

Capillary zone electrophoresis with pre-column NDA derivatization and amperometric detection for the analysis of four aliphatic diamines

A method was developed for the analysis of four aliphatic diamines by capillary zone electrophoresis using pre-column derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA)/CN⁻ and amperometric detection. The pre-column derivatization reaction conditions including the molar ratio of NDA to amines, the cyanide concentration, the pH value of derivatization buffer, and the reaction time, were investigated. The separation of four derivatives of aliphatic diamines has been optimized by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using end-column amperometric detection with a carbon fiber microelectrode, at a constant potential of 0.7 V versus SCE. The optimum conditions for the separation were 10 mM Tris-H₃PO₄ (pH 4.0) for the running buffer solution, 15 kV for the separation voltage. The detection limits for diaminopropane, putrescine, cadaverine, diaminohexane were 6.7×10⁻⁸, 5.1×10⁻⁸, 1.9×10⁻⁷ and 3.8×10⁻⁷ M, respectively (S/N=3). The proposed method was applied to the determination of aliphatic diamines in a lake water sample by the standard addition method. The recovery of these amines in water was 89.9-107%.     

Capillary electrochromatography with contactless conductivity detection for the determination of some inorganic and organic cations using monolithic octadecylsilica columns

A fast separation of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations and ammonium was carried out by capillary electrochromatography on monolithic octadecylsilica columns of 15 cm length and 100 μm inner diameter using water/methanol mixtures containing acetic acid as mobile phase. On-column contactless conductivity detection was used for quantification of these non-UV-absorbing species. The method was also extended successfully to the determination of small amines as well as of amino acids, and the separation selectivity was optimized by varying the composition of the mobile phase. Detection limits of about 1 μM were possible for the inorganic cations as well as for the small amines, while the amino acids could be quantified down to about 10 μM. The separation of 12 amino acids was achieved in the relatively short time of 10 min.     

Characterization and application of a new ultraviolet derivatization reagent for amino acids analysis in capillary electrophoresis

A new ultraviolet (UV) labeling reagent, p-acetamidobenzenesulfonyl fluoride (PAABS-F), was designed and synthesized to label and determine the amino acids by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with diode-array detector (DAD). PAABS-F is very stable and easy to synthesize. It reacted with primary or secondary amino acids very quickly under facile conditions to give corresponding derivatives in high yield with excellent sensitivity and stability. No by-products were observed in amino acid derivatives when stored at room temperature under natural daylight for at least 7 days. Both amino acids standard solution and real samples reacted with this new UV labeling reagent smoothly to form high UV-absorption derivatives. The labeled 20 standard amino acids were efficiently separated by CE and the mass detection limits (S/N = 3) were ranged from 59.3 fmol for l-tryptophan to 1.70 pmol for l-histidine.     

In-capillary derivatization and capillary electrophoresis separation of amino acid neurotransmitters from brain microdialysis samples

A new in-capillary derivatization method with naphtalene-2,3-dicarboxyaldehyde (NDA)/CN(-) has been developed for capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection of brain microdialysate amino acids. Samples are sandwiched between two plugs of reagent mixture at the capillary inlet and subsequently separated. Highest derivatization yields are obtained by using a reagent to sample plug length ratio equal to 4, performing a first electrophoretic mixing followed by a zero potential amplification step before applying the separation voltage and using a NaCN to NDA concentration ratio equal to 1. This new single-step methodology allows the analysis of amino acid neurotransmitters in rat brain microdialysis samples.     

Electrophoretic separation with 2-mm inner diameter fused-silica microcolumn packed with quartz microncrystals and its application

The feasibility of a microcolumn electrophoresis technique was investigated with a 100 mm length, 2 mm I.D. fused-silica microcolumn packed with uniform quartz microncrystals prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. To evaluate the separation technique, tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine were primarily separated by the microcolumn electrophoresis and detected at 216 nm without derivatization by an ordinary spectrophotometer. The separation conditions of the amino acids were optimized. With 1.5 mmol/L disodium phosphate buffer solution (pH 11.5) containing 25% (v/v) methanol and 10% (v/v) acetonitrile, the three amino acids were separated and the separation efficiency of tryptophan was 4.5 × 10⁴ plates/m. The limits of detection were 0.035, 0.22 and 0.20 μmol/L, respectively. The sample capacity of the electrophoretic microcolumn achieved 35 μL. The proposed method was used to determine these amino acids in compound amino acid injection samples without derivatization. For the simplicity and portability of the microcolumn electrophoresis, it is studied as one of the high-performance separation techniques for an in situ and real-time electrokinetic flow analysis system. For its high detection sensitivity and large sample capacity, it can be developed for preparative electrophoresis.     

Continuous on-line derivatization and determination of amino acids by a microfluidic capillary electrophoresis system with a continuous sample introduction interface

An automatic, rapid and continuous on-line derivatization system coupled to microfluidic capillary electrophoresis (CE) for the determination of amino acids using o-phthaldialdehyde/N-acetyl-l-cysteine (OPA/NAC) as the derivative agents has been developed. By on-line derivatization, amino acids were automatically and reproducibly converted to the UV-absorbing derivatives, which were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Optimization of derivatization and separation condition was carried out to achieve both good sensitivity and separation efficiency. The separation could be achieved within 4 min and sample throughput rate can reach up to 16 h⁻¹. The repeatability (defined as relative standard deviation, R.S.D.) was 2.56, 2.85, 3.24 and 3.60% with peak area evaluation and 2.93, 3.12, 4.20 and 4.91% with peak height evaluation for arginine (Arg), phenylalanine (Phe), serine (Ser) and glycine (Gly), respectively. The limits of detection (S/N=3) were 10.46, 13.14, 34.39 and 44.79 μmol/l for Arg, Phe, Ser and Gly, respectively. Major advantages of the proposed method include improved precision and efficient automation of the derivatization by the FI system and the enhanced sampling frequencies by the combined FI-CE system.     

Ultraviolet detection of amino acids based on their on-column conjugation with cupric cation using a disposable electrophoresis microdevice

A method for fast sensitive ultraviolet detection of amino acids was developed with a disposable electrophoresis microdevice. The microdevice was conveniently constructed by fixing a fused-silica capillary with a sampling fracture to a printed circuit board. During the separation process, the on-column conjugation of amino acids with cupric cation led to the ultraviolet absorption at 232 nm that could be directly used for fast analysis of amino acids. Using 20 mM boric acid (pH 5.3) containing 5 mM cupric cation and 0.015% Tween 20 as running buffer, this method could completely separate lysine, glutamine and serine at a sampling time of 2 s at +210 V and a separation voltage of +1800 V (240 V/cm). The theoretical plate numbers were from 140,000 to 205,000 plates/m. The linear ranges were from 10 to 500 μM for lysine, 20-1000 μM for glutamine and serine. The novel protocol had been successfully used to detect amino acids in beverage samples with recovery more than 85.0%, indicating its advantages and potential analytical application in different fields.     

Stacking and separation of protein derivatives of naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde by CE with light-emitting diode induced fluorescence detection

We describe the stacking and separation of proteins by CE under discontinuous conditions in conjunction with light-emitting diode induced fluorescence (LEDIF) detection using a violet LED at 405 nm. The proteins were derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) to form NDA-protein derivatives prior to CE-LEDIF analysis. During the separation, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) solution containing CTAB enters from the cathodic inlet to the capillary via electroosomotic flow (EOF). The optimum conditions are: the capillary was filled with 50 mM glycine buffer (pH 9.0) containing 1.0 mM CTAB, NDA-protein derivatives were prepared in deionized water containing 1.0 mM CTAB, and 0.6% PEO was prepared in 50 mM glycine (pH 9.0) containing 2.0 mM CTAB. The analysis of four NDA-protein derivatives is fast (<3 min), with RSD <1.5% in terms of migration time. In order to improve the sensitivity of NDA-protein derivatives, a stacking approach based on increases in viscosity and electric field, as well as sieving was applied. The efficient stacking approach provides LODs (S/N = 3) of 2.41, 0.59, 0.61, and 4.22 nM for trypsin inhibitor, HSA, beta-lactoglobulin, and lysozyme, respectively. In addition, we also applied the stacking approach to determination of the concentration of HSA in one urine sample, which was determined to be 0.31 +/- 0.05 microM (n = 3).     

Assay of amino acids in individual human lymphocytes by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

Amino acids in individual human lymphocytes were determined by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (ED) at a carbon fiber bundle electrode after on-column derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and CN⁻. In order to inject cells easily, a cell injector was designed. In this method, a single human lymphocyte and then the lysing/derivatizing buffer were electrokinetically injected into the front end of the separation capillary as a chamber to lyse the lymphocyte and derivatize amino acids in the cell. Four amino acids (serine (Ser), alanine (Ala), taurine (Tau), and glycine (Gly)) in single human lymphocytes have been identified. Quantitation has been accomplished through the use of calibration curves.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of amino acids by precolumn derivatization with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride

This work presents an high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of amino acids after precolumn derivatization with 4-chloro-3,5-dinitrobenzotrifluoride (CNBF) which can readily react with both primary and secondary amines. The precolumn derivatization conditions, including the CNBF concentration, reaction pH, temperature and reaction time were investigated for method optimization. In pH 9.0 borate buffer, the reaction of amino acids with CNBF was carried out at 60 °C for 30 min, the optimized concentration of CNBF was 70 mmol L⁻¹ and the molar ratio of amino acids to CNBF was 1:5.25. The chromatographic separation of 19 amino acids derivatives was performed on a Kromasil ODS C₁₈ column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with good reproducibility, and ultraviolet detection was applied at 260 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of phase A (acetonitrile) and phase B (acetate buffer, acetonitrile, triethylamine; 82.8:17:0.2, pH 4.9), and the flow rate was 0.4 mL min⁻¹. The separation of all the labeled amino acids was achieved within 45 min at room temperature by gradient elution mode. The method linearity, calculated for each amino acid, had a correlation coefficient higher than 0.9979, in concentrations ranging from 9.60 to 3330.00 μmol L⁻¹. The detection limits of amino acids were 2.40-6.50 μmol L⁻¹, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The proposed method was applied for the determination of amino acids in beer with recoveries of 97.0-103.9% and relative standard deviations of 2.62-4.22%, respectively. This method showed good accuracy and repeatability that can be used for the quantification of amino acids in real samples.     

HPLC-fluorescence detection and MEKC-LIF detection for the study of amino acids and catecholamines labelled with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxyaldehyde

Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxyaldehyde (NDA) is commonly used for detection of primary amines in conjunction with their separation with HPLC and CE. The fluorescence of the derivatives can be measured by a conventional fluorometer or via LIF. NDA is a reactive dye, which can replace o-phthaldehyde (OPA) and provides for derivatives which are considerably more stable than OPA derivatives. In addition, NDA can be used to derivatize primary amines at concentrations as low as 100 pM. In this work, HPLC/fluorescence and MEKC/LIF experiments were performed to separate/detect six neuroactive compounds, the amino acids, Gly, Glu, Asp, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the catecholamines, dopamine and noradrenaline. The two methods were compared in terms of performance of separation. The amino acids can be separated in HPLC in less than 30 min and an identical separation is obtained in CE using MEKC and lithium salts with greater resolution (the number of theoretical plates was approximately 5000 for HPLC and 200 000 for MEKC). The lowest detected concentration was in the range of 0.1 nM for CE/LIF. The presence of a high salt concentration does not affect the separation of the samples. Examples of the analysis of microdialysate samples as well as amino acids in Ringer's solution are presented.     

Far infrared-assisted extraction followed by capillary electrophoresis for the determination of bioactive constituents in the leaves of Lycium barbarum Linn.

In this work, a method based on capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection and far infrared-assisted extraction has been developed for the determination of rutin, gentisic acid, and quercetin in the leaves of Lycium barbarum Linn. The effects of detection potential, irradiation time, and the voltage applied on the infrared generator were investigated to acquire the optimum analysis conditions. The detection electrode was a 300-μm-diameter carbon disc electrode at a detection potential of +0.90 V. The three analytes could be well separated within 12 min in a 40 cm length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of 12 kV in a 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2). The relation between peak current and analyte concentration was linear over about 3 orders of magnitude with the detection limits (S/N = 3) of 0.31, 0.48, and 0.78 μM for rutin, gentisic acid, and quercetin, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to determine the three bioactive constituents in real plant samples.     

Separation of six purine bases by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection

Capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection (ED) has been employed for the separation and determination of adenine (A), guanine (G), theophylline (Thp), hypoxanthine (HX), xanthine (Xan) and uric acid (UA). Effects of several important factors such as the acidity and concentration of running buffer, separation voltage, injection time and detection potential were investigated to acquire the optimum conditions. The detection electrode was a 300 μm carbon disc electrode at a working potential of +0.95 V (versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE)). The six purine bases can be well separated within 14 min in a 40 cm length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of 10 kV in a 100 mmol/l borate buffer (BB, pH 10.0). The current response was linear over about three orders of magnitude with detection limits (S/N=3) ranging from 0.157×10⁻⁶ to 0.767×10⁻⁶ mol/l for all compounds. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine Thp in tea and aminophylline tablets, UA in human urine, and two purine bases in DNA.     

Capillary Electrophoretic Resolution of Enantiomers of Aromatic Amino-Acids with Highly Sulfated α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrins

Using cyclodextrin capillary electrokinetic chromatography (CD-EKC), baseline separation of aromatic amino acids was achieved. The variations in amino acids side chain, in the nature of the aromatic moiety and its substitution, and their derivatives at the amino or carboxylic terminal provide an ideal model for the systematic study of the structural interactions with the chiral selectors:anionic cyclodextrins (highly sulfated-CD or highly S-CD). The use of negatively charged cyclodextrins provides a driving force in the opposite direction of the positively charged or neutral molecules in the running buffer and enantiomeric resolution by inclusion of compounds in the CD cavity. The complete resolution was obtained using 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 containing 3 (w/v) of highly S-CD at 25 °C with a applied field of 0.30 kV cm⁻¹ with capillaries dynamically coated with polyethylene oxide (PEO). A comparison was possible to investigate the structural arrangement responsible for regiospecific interactions with the enantiomers of the different amino acids.     

Electrochemical behaviour of isatin at a glassy carbon electrode

A rapid, reliable and simple capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of organic acids in beverages was developed. The complete separation of oxalic, formic, tartaric, malic, succinic, maleic, glutaric, pyruvic, acetic, lactic, citric, butyric, benzoic, sorbic, ascorbic and gluconic acids can be achieved in less than 3.5 min with a simple electrolyte composed by phosphate as the carrier buffer (7.5 mM NaH₂PO₄ and 2.5 mM Na₂HPO₄), 2.5 mM TTAOH as electroosmotic flow modifier and 0.24 mM CaCl₂ as selectivity modifier, adjusting the pH at 6.40 constant value. Injection was performed in hydrodynamic mode (30 s) and the detection mode was UV direct at 185 nm. The running voltage was −25 kV at thermostated temperature of 25 °C. The method developed has been applied to several beverage samples with only a simple dilution and filtration treatment of the sample. The proposed method is fast because the separation time decrease two, four or, even, six times the separation times of the previous reported CZE methods. It is also simple and cheap due to a low consumption of chemicals and samples. These reasons permit it to be considered adequate for routine analysis of organic acids in beverage samples.