Separation of tetracycline and its related substances by capillary zone electrophoresis

Tetracycline was separated from its main impurities 4-epitetracycline, anhydrotetracycline, 4-epianhydrotetracycline, chlortetracycline, and demethyltetracycline by capillary electrophoresis. Systematic method development was performed in which following parameters were consecutively optimized: type and pH of the buffer, buffer concentration, type and concentration of organic modifier, voltage and temperature. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the method are compared with liquid chromatography.