Instrumentation for capillary isotachophoresis

Modular instrumentation for capillary isotachophoresis provides an easy way to assemble a desirable configuration of the separation unit with respect to detection limits, load capacity, time and economy of analysis. New developments in the field may thus be quickly accepted.     

Application of capillary isotachophoresis in peptide analysis

This paper gives a broad and detailed review of the applications of one of the modern high-performance electromigration separation techniques--capillary isotachophoresis (ITP)--in peptide analysis. Examples are presented of the utilization of capillary ITP for peptide analysis in the fields of chemistry, general and clinical biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, pharmacy and the food industry. The complete composition of all the electrolyte systems used for peptide ITP analyses in both cationic and anionic techniques is given in tabular form. According to the purpose of analysis the applications are divided into several sections: model studies, determination of physico-chemical characteristics, purity control of both intermediate and final peptide preparations, including the determination of low-molecular-mass ionogenic admixtures, and the analysis of peptides in biological fluids and tissue extracts. In addition to the main applications the theoretical and methodological aspects of peptide ITP analysis are discussed. The basic electromigration properties of peptides (their polyampholyte character, effective and absolute mobilities, acid-base equilibria) are explained and the selection of parameters for peptide ITP analysis is described in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of ITP compared with other electrophoretic and chromatographic methods used for peptide analysis are discussed.     

On-column radiometric detector for capillary isotachophoresis

An on-column radiometric detector for capillary isotachophoresis is described. Design of the detector follows its intended use, i.e., mainly the detection of¹⁴C labelled ionogenic compounds separable by this electromigration method. A key part of the detector is a small volume (70 or 200 nl) cell with the sensing part made of plastic scintillator with counting efficiencies of 13–15%. An equation correlating the precision of radioactivity measurements with physical and geometrical characteristics of the cell and isotachophoretic conditions has been derived providing a guide in optimizing both the geometrical dimensions of the cell and the isotachophoretic working conditions. A minimum detectability calculated for¹⁴C radionuclide (21 Bq for a 3 mm thickness of the sensing part of the cell) was in a good agreement with the value determined experimentally (16 Bq). Other parameters evaluated experimentally include resolving power, short- and long-term reproducibilities of the response. It was also shown that optimized driving current during the detection enables to improve the precision of the radioactivity measurement.     

Application of capillary isotachophoresis to the analysis of glutathione conjugates

An analytical capillary isotachophoretic method has been applied for the quantitative assay of reduced glutathione (GSH) conjugates produced by the cytosolic enzyme GSH S-transferase. The donor molecule GSH in reduced and oxidized (GSSG) forms and the GSH conjugates of at least two electrophilic acceptors can be assayed in a single analysis. This technique also permits the quantitative assay of further metabolites of GSH conjugates including mercapturic acids. The total analysis time was of the order of 30 min. The sensitivity of the method is sufficient for the accurate detection of 0.15 nmol GSH conjugate of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and p-nitrobenzyl chloride, 0.2 nmol GSH conjugate of 1,2-epoxy-3-(p-nitrophenoxy)-propane and 0.15 nmol GSH. The present method is simple, accurate and does not require radioactively labelled compounds or separate analytical procedures.     

Recent progress in capillary isotachophoresis

This article is a continuation of previous reviews and summarizes the progress of analytical capillary isotachophoresis in the years 1997-1999. Papers reviewed include theoretical and methodological aspects as well as analytical applications. Included are also papers using isotachophoresis and/or isotachophoretic principles as part of multidimensional separation schemes.     

Recent progress in capillary isotachophoresis

This article is a continuation of previous reviews and summarizes the progress of analytical capillary isotachophoresis since 2000. Papers reviewed include methodological and instrumental aspects as well as analytical applications. Included are also papers using isotachophoresis and/or isotachophoretic principles as part of multidimensional separation schemes.     

Fully automated capillary isotachophoresis of proteins

An apparatus for fully automated capillary isotachophoresis was constructed. A commercial apparatus (Shimadzu IP-2A) was modified in the electrolyte pumping system and the flow lines were simplified. An automatic sampler was used for sequential sampling. The equipment, pumps, the sampler, a high-voltage DC power supply, and a recorder, were controlled by a system controller which comprises a microcomputer and a BASIC program for time-control of the equipments. The apparatus was successfully used for the automated sequential analysis of human serum proteins. Forty serum samples were analyzed within 17 h without manual operation and for each sample the serum proteins were resolved into about twenty UV peaks or shoulders.     

Recent progress in analytical capillary isotachophoresis

This review brings a survey of studies on analytical ITP published since 2016 until the first quarter of 2018 and includes chapters about theory and principles, instrumentation and techniques, and analytical applications of ITP. It shows the position of analytical ITP among contemporary separation techniques, where particularly its unique concentrating capabilities keep the interest to include it into novel high‐sensitivity analytical procedures. The reviewed papers are considered according to their nature, techniques used, and instrumentation employed. The significance of electrolyte system composition is emphasized by providing explicit values where possible.     

Recent progress in analytical capillary isotachophoresis

Capillary ITP is currently used as one of the most important tools for preseparation and preconcentration of trace analytes in complex or diluted samples. This contribution is a continuation of a series of regularly published reviews on the topic and covers the last 2 years. It brings a survey of related literature organized into following sections: theory and methodology, instrumentation and techniques, and applications.     

Determination of metoprolol tartrate by capillary isotachophoresis

This paper describes two isotachophoretic methods of metoprolol tartrate (MT) determination in pure and dosage forms. The first method was used for direct analysis where the following electrolyte system was applied: 10 mmol dm⁻³ 3-morpholino-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, 10 mmol dm⁻³ NaCl, 2 % hydroxyethylocelulose as leading (LE) and 10 mmol dm⁻³ glycyl-glycine as terminating (TE) electrolytes. The second method was used for indirect analysis of MT as tartrate ions. In this case, the leading electrolyte consisted of 10 mmol dm⁻³ HCl, β-alanine (BALA), pH 4-5, and the terminating one of 5 mmol dm⁻³ glutamic acid, 10 mmol dm⁻³ β-alanine. Calibration curves were calculated as follows: for system A: y = (0.52 ± 0.05)x − (0.9 ± 0.2) (LOD = 13.0 mg dm⁻³, LOQ = 31.7 mg dm⁻³); and for system B: y = (0.240 +- 0.001)x + (0.18 ± 0.06) (LOD = 1.8 mg dm⁻³, LOQ = 4.4 mg dm⁻³). The isotachophoretic method was compared with the pharmacopoeial one by statistical tests.     

Determination of some antirheumatics by capillary isotachophoresis

Isotachophoresis (ITP) was applied for the determination of some antirheumatic drugs (fenoprofen, naproxen, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen) in human serum. The leading electrolyte contained hydrochloric acid (10 mmol x L(-1)), creatinine (pH 4.5) and methylhydroxyethyl cellulose (0.1%). The terminating electrolyte was 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (10 mmol x L(-1)) adjusted with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane to pH 6.9. The ITP separations were carried out in column-coupling configuration of the separation unit provided with a preseparation column of 160 x 0.8 mm inner diameter (ID) and analytical column of 160 x 0.3 mm ID. The limit of detection for ibuprofen, fenoprofen, and naproxen in serum by direct sampling was 0.008, 0.005 and 0.004 mmol x L(-1). The limit of detection for ketoprofen in serum after ethanol precipitation was 0.001 mmol x L(-1).     

Analysis of lipoproteins with analytical capillary isotachophoresis

An analytical free flow capillary isotachophoresis procedure, with a discontinuous electrolyte system, for the detailed analysis of lipoproteins in human body fluids has been developed. The technique is based on prestaining whole serum lipoproteins with a lipophilic dye before separation. Human serum lipoproteins are separated into 14 well-characterized subfractions according to their electrophoretic mobility. High density lipoproteins (fraction 1 to 6) are separated into three major subpopulations, the fast migrating high density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulation, containing mainly apo AI and phosphatidylcholine, the subpopulation with intermediate mobility, consisting of particles rich in apo AII, apo E, and C apolipoproteins, and the slowly migrating HDL subfraction, containing mainly particles rich in apo AI, apo AIV, and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. The apo B containing lipoproteins (fraction 7 to 14) can be subdivided into four major functional groups. The first represents chylomicron derived particles and large triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The second group consists of small VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) particles, anf the third and fourth group represent the low density lipoproteins. The isotachophoretic analysis of human serum samples obtained from patients with hyperlipoproteinemias is compatible with the classification according to the Frederickson phenotypes and reflects the respective biochemical abnormalities. Furthermore, several genetic disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism like HDL deficiency syndromes, familial LCAT deficiency, Fish eye disease, hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia can be well characterized by analytical capillary iso tachophoresis. In addition to patient analysis we investigated the influence of lipid lowering drugs on the lipoprotein subfraction distribution during therapy with analytical capillary isotachophoresis.     

Transient isotachophoresis in carrier ampholyte-based capillary electrophoresis for protein analysis

Transient ITP (t-ITP) has been used in carrier ampholyte-based CE (CABCE) to enhance the sensitivity of protein analysis. The characteristics of carrier ampholytes (CAs) narrow pH cuts-based buffers, when used as BGEs in CE are compatible with t-ITP requirements. Indeed, being the sole buffering species of such solutions, CAs impose a pH close to their pI. Thus, in these solutions, the CAs possess low electrophoretic mobility. As a consequence, by adding an ionic component with high electrophoretic mobility either in the studied sample or in the BGE, a t-ITP step can be generated. This has first been demonstrated for protein test mixtures. Then, the combination of t-ITP with CABCE has been applied to study a real sample, the bovine milk.     

Determination of potassium in sea-water by capillary isotachophoresis

Summary A new analytical procedure for the determination of potassium in sea-water was developed using capillary isotachophoresis and ion-exchange. After the sea-water sample was passed through the column packed with an ammonium form cation-exchange resin, sodium ion was removed with 2×10^–2 mol/l ammonium chloride solution and then potassium ion was eluted with 3×10^–1 mol/l ammonium chloride solution. Simultaneous determination of potassium and sodium ions was performed with a newly developed electrolyte system; the leading electrolyte was 5 mmol/l cesium hydroxide containing 2 mmol/l 18-crown-6, 0.01% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and 70% methanol; the terminating electrolyte was 5 mmol/l tetrabutylammonium bromide containing 0.01% HPMC and 70% methanol. A large amount of ammonium in the eluate did not interfere with the isotachophoretic measurement of potassium and sodium ions. A linear working curve was obtained for artificial sea-water samples containing up to 700 mg/l potassium ion. The proposed method was applied to the determination of potassium in surface and bottom sea-water samples.

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Kaliumbestimmung in Meereswasser durch Capillar-Isotachophorese

     

Separations of enantiomers by preparative capillary isotachophoresis.

The use of capillary isotachophoresis (ITP), operating in a discontinuous fractionation mode, for preparative separations of enantiomers of chiral compounds was studied. The ITP separations were carried out in the column-coupling configuration of the separation unit provided with the preseparation column of a 1.0 mm ID and the trapping column of a 0.8 mm ID. Such a configuration of the CE separation unit offers several working regimes suitable to preparative separations of enantiomers. 2,4-Dinitrophenyl-DL-norleucine (DNP-Norleu) was employed as a model analyte in our experiments with beta-cyclodextrin serving in the electrolyte solutions as a chiral selector. The preparative separations lasting about 20 min were evaluated by ITP and (more often) by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). It was found that one preparative run provided up to 14 microg of pure DNP-Norleu enantiomers. This corresponded to a 75 times higher production rate of ITP relative to a maximum value of this parameter as estimated for preparative CZE runs in cylindrical capillaries (0.5 pmol/s). About 75% of the DNP-Norleu enantiomers loaded into the preparative equipment could be recovered in pure enantiomer fractions. Contiguous natures of the zones in the ITP stack and adsorption losses of the enantiomers in the isolation step were found to set practical limits for a further enhancement of the recovery rates in the isolation of pure enantiomers.     

Determination of imazalil by on-line coupled capillary isotachophoresis with capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple, rapid and reproducible capillary isotachophoretic on-line coupled with capillary zone electrophoresis (CITP-CZE) method for the determination of IMz in food packaging extracts and its residues in apples is described. A good separation of the IMZ from other sample constituents was achieved within 15 minutes without any sample clean up. Method characteristics (linearity, accuracy, intra-assay and detection limit) were determined. Less amount of time involved, sufficient sensitivity and low running cost are the important attributes of CITP-CZE method.