Separation of phenolic acids in soil and plant tissue extracts by co-electroosmotic capillary electrophoresis with direct UV detection

Summary A capillary zone electrophoretic method for the analysis of phenolic acids in soil and plant extracts was developed with direct UV detection using a phosphate electrolyte solution. The electrophoretic separation required the phenolic acids to be charged at a pH above their pKa in order to achieve their migration towards the anode. Electroosmotic flow (EOF) was reversed in direction by adding tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB). Factors affecting the separation selectivity, including the buffer pH and EOF modifiers, were investigated systematically. Eight phenolic acids were separated and detected in 10 min using an electrolyte containing 25 mM phosphate, 0.5 mM TTAB and 15% acetonitrile (v/v) at pH of 7.20. Linear plots for the test phenolic acids were obtained in a concentration range of 0.01–1 mM with detection limits in the range of 1.0–7.0 μM. The recoveries ranged from 92.8 to 102.3% in soil and plant tissues samples spiked at 100 μM and the relative standard deviation based on the peak area were ranged 2.0 to 4.5%. The proposed method was used for the determination of phenolic acids in plant tissue and soil extracts with direct injection.     

Determination of inorganic anions, carboxylic acids and amino acids in plant matrices by capillary zone electrophoresis

Summary Physiological investigations of solute transport in plants affords knowledge of solute distribution between different tissues. Capillary electrophoresis using indirect UV and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection is demonstrated as a useful technique for the simultaneous determination of inorganic anions, amino acids and carboxylic acids in plant samples. Cell sap obtained from plant tissues as well as simple ethanolic or aqueous plant extracts can be analysed directly without any pretreatment. This matrix stability and the very small volumes required allow fast determinations of various compounds in small plant tissue sections. In the case of carboxylic acids, resolution can be optimized using calcium for selective complexation of some of the compounds. Selective and sensitive determination of amino acids is possible using precolumn derivatisation with orthophthaldialdehyde (OPA) and laser induced fluorescence detection. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Simultaneous determination of inorganic anions and organic acids in amine solutions for sour gas treatment by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

A new CE method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of selected inorganic anions (bromide, chloride, thiosulfate, nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, thiocyanate, fluoride and phosphate) and organic acids (oxalic, malonic, formic, tartric, acetic, glycolic, propionic, butyric and cyclohexanoic) in amine solutions from sour gas treatment units. An electrolyte composed of 10 mM trimellitic acid, 200 mM Tris (pH 9.0), 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol provides a satisfactory separation of all analytes of interest. The electroosmotic flow is reversed by using hexadimethrine bromide as a semi-permanent positively charged coating, making the electrolyte free of additive. Indirect UV detection at 240 nm is used because of the weak absorbing properties of most of analytes. The addition of 1% diethanolamine in standard mixtures permits to better preserve them, inhibiting potential degradation processes, especially for thiosulfate. The quantification is performed using internal standardization, by which molybdate is used as internal standard. Moreover, the use of relative migration times and the excellent repeatabilities obtained allow unambiguous identification of analytes in real samples by comparison with standard mixture. It has been shown that no significant matrix effect came from the presence of 30% diethanolamine in amine solution samples and the developed method was characterized in terms of calibration linearity and accuracy using recovery tests. In short, the developed method allows the simultaneous and rapid determination, in difficult matrices, of numerous inorganic anions and organic acids characterized by a large range of electrophoretic mobilities.     

Separation of perfluorocarboxylic acids using capillary electrophoresis with UV detection

A capillary electrophoretic method with UV detection for separation and quantitation of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) from C6-PFCA to C12-PFCA has been developed. The optimization of measurement conditions included the choice of the most appropriate type and concentration of buffer in the background electrolyte (BGE), as well as the type and the content of an organic modifier. The optimal separation of investigated PFCAs was achieved with 50 mM phosphate buffer and 40% isopropanol in the BGE using direct UV detection. The optimum wavelength for direct UV detection was optimized at 190 nm. For indirect detection, several chromophores were studied. Five mM 3,5-Dinitrobenzoic acid (3,5-DNBA) in 20 mM phosphate buffer BGE and indirect UV detection at 280 nm gave the optimal detection and separation performance for the investigated PFCAs. The possibility of on-line preconcentration of solutes by stacking has been examined for indirect detection. The detection limits (LODs) determined for direct UV detection ranged from 2 microg/mL for C6-PFCA to 33 microg/mL for C12-PFCA. The LODs obtained for indirect UV detection were comparable to those obtained for direct UV detection.     

New preconditioning strategy for the determination of inorganic anions with capillary zone electrophoresis using indirect UV detection

It is widely accepted that preconditioning procedures are indispensable in capillary electrophoresis in order to achieve reproducibility of migration times and peak areas. Several preconditioning strategies have been employed for electrophoretic determinations of inorganic anions using indirect UV detection including simple flushing with buffer or alkaline or acid pre-rinsing followed by flushing with electrolyte. We investigated the influence of various preconditioning strategies on the reproducibility of migration times and peak areas of inorganic anions. The electrolyte systems for indirect UV detection were based on pyromellitic acid and chromic acid respectively as UV absorbing probes and hexamethonium hydroxide as electroosmatic flow modifier. Preconditioning agents under investigation were electrolyte buffer, NaOH, HCl and the free acids of the UV absorbing probes. Investigations showed that reproducibility of migration times and peak areas can be significantly improved by acid pre-rinsing using the corresponding acid of the UV absorbing probes compared to preconditioning by flushing the capillary with buffer. In contrast to acid pre-rinsing using hydrochloric acid no interfering signals within the migration time window of inorganic anions under investigation can be observed. The optimized preconditioning procedure yields relative standard deviations of migration times less than 0.25% (n=10). Relative standard deviations of corrected peak areas were below 5% applying acid preconditioning using pyromellitic acid.     

Simultaneous determination of inorganic anions, carboxylic and aromatic carboxylic acids by capillary zone electrophoresis with direct UV detection

Co-electroosmotic capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with direct UV detection was developed for simultaneous determination of inorganic anions, carboxylic and aromatic carboxylic acids. These solutes were separated using a 30 mM phosphate buffer containing 1.0 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and 20% (v/v) acetonitrile at pH of 6.5 and directly detected by UV at 190 nm. Calibration curves were linear in the range 0.01-2.0 mM, depending of the solutes. The detection limits ranged from 1.0 to 8.0 microM and the relative standards deviations (n=5) in range from 1.9 to 3.6% for the peak area. The proposed method was used to determine inorganic anions and carboxylic and aromatic acids in soil and plant tissue extracts.     

Direct UV detection of underivatized amino acids using capillary electrophoresis with online sweeping enrichment

This is an original report proposed a CE method for direct analysis of the underivatized amino acids using UV detection with relatively higher sensitivity, which was based on coordination interactions between amino acids and Cu (II) ions. In addition, an online sweeping preconcentration technique was easily combined to improve the detection sensitivity. Satisfying separations of the amino acids were obtained under optimized conditions: 50 mmol/L CuSO₄–0.05% HAc–H₂O (pH 4.5), and the separation voltage of 15 kV. The LODs for the analytes ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 μmol/L. The linearity of detection for all analytes was two orders of magnitude with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The repeatability was displayed with an RSD less than 3% for migration time and peak height (n = 5). Moreover, some amino acids in real samples of human saliva and green tea were analyzed by this direct UV detection CE method with acceptable sensitivity.     

Separation of amino acids in plant tissue extracts by capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection using aromatic carboxylates as background electrolytes

Summary Amino acids in extracts of plant tissue were separated and detected by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with indirect UV detection. Various aromatic carboxylates such as salicylate, benzoate, phthalate and trimellitate were investigated as background electrolytes (BGEs). A BGE of benzoate gave the best resolution and detector response. Amino acids were separated at a highly alkaline pH to charge amino acids negatively. Separation was achieved by the co-electroosmotic flow (Co-EOF) by the addition of the cationic surfactant myristyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (MTAB) to the electrolyte. The condtions affecting the separation of amino acids, including electrolyte pH, concentrations of both benzoate and MTAB, were investigated and optimised. Separation of a mixture of 17 amino acids at pH 11.20 with indirect UV detection at 225 nm was achieved with a BGE of 10 mM benzoate containing 1.0 mM MTAB at pH of 11.20. Detection limits ranged between 10 and 50 μM. The proposed method was demonstrated by the determination of amino acids in extracts of Eucalypt leaves with direct injection of samples.     

Determination of inorganic anions in Kraft pulping liquors by capillary electrophoresis

Various sulfur containing anions (sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate) in Kraft pulping process liquors are determined by capillary electrophoresis. In addition, other inorganic anions (hydroxide, chloride, oxalate, carbonate) are analyzed with the developed method. Through optimization of the separation conditions it is possible to simultaneously determine these anionic species in pulping liquors with direct and indirect UV detection at 185, 214, and 254 nm. To ensure short separation times a migration of the anionic analytes in the same direction as the electroosmotic flow (co-electroosmotic CE) is established by reversal of the electroosmotic flow with 1,5-dimethyl-1,5-diazaundecamethylene polymethobromide (hexadimethrine bromide; HDB; polybrene™) which is added to the electrolyte as EOF modifier. The impact of acetonitrile as organic modifier to improve the selectivity of the anionic analytes is also investigated. The developed method is then applied to analyze and quantify various anions in pulping liquors (white and black liquors). By simultaneously determining the hydroxide concentration it is possible to calculate effective alkalinity and sulfidity with the measured concentrations without the need of volumetric methods.     

Separation of inorganic anions by reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography with direct UV detection

In this paper, a separation method of the inorganic anions including I^–, NO ₂ ^– , NO ₃ ^– , IO ₃ ^– and SCN^– on the reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography with direct UV detection has been developed, and the limits of detection of these inorganic anions were determined. The effects of the organic modifier volume fraction and concentration of the ion-pair reagent on the retention of inorganic anions were discussed.     

Purity testing of sulfonic acids of different chain length by capillary electrophoresis

Summary A CZE method has been developed for the purity testing of sulfonic acids. By use of an optimized electrolyte system, short analysis times and high resolution (R _S=2–4) can be achieved for inorganic anions and for alkyl sulfonic acids from methane-1- to decane-1-sulfonic acid. By use of indirect UV detection by-products of different sulfonic acids can be determined at the 2 m level, equivalent to 0.02%,w/w. Presented at the 21^st ISC held in Stuttgart, Germany, 15^th–20^th September, 1996     

Optimization of conductivity detection of low-molecular-mass anions in capillary zone electrophoresis

The optimization of background electrolyte compositions for capillary zone electrophoresis in combination with conductivity detection focusing on maximal detector response is discussed. A theoretical approach pointing out the influence of the electrolyte co- and counter-ion mobilities on the detector signal has been developed. Using this model, running buffer compositions providing optimum S/N ratios for the selected analytes could be calculated. The results derived from these examinations have been verified by experimental investigations, namely the determination of inorganic and organic anionic solutes.     

Determination of various inorganic anions and organic acids in the atmospheric particulate matter using capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

Capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection was developed for the simultaneous analysis of inorganic anions and organic acids using a mixed solution of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide as the background electrolyte (BGE). The parameters which influence the separation, such as indirect UV detection wavelength, BGE conditions, applied voltage and extraction conditions were investigated. Thirteen inorganic anions and organic acids were detected within 20 min. The calibration curves of each analyte were linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.991. The relative standard deviations (n = 10) of the peak areas ranged from 0.6% to 3.3%. The detection limits for these species ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 mg/L at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The recovery rate of each analyte was more than 80% under optimised extraction conditions, except for nitrite. The proposed method was applied towards the analysis of inorganic anions and organic acids in the atmospheric particulate matter using an Andersen sampler. The particle size of the particulate matter was determined, but not the size of the anions.     

A new method for quantitative determination of two uronic acids by CZE with direct UV detection

A new method using capillary zone electrophoresis was developed for the rapid quantification of two common uronic acids, galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid, based on utilization of an alkaline background electrolyte with reversed electroosmotic flow (EOF) within 16 min. The method relies on in‐capillary reaction and direct UV detection at the wavelength 270 nm. The optimum electrolyte solution was prepared of 130 mm sodium hydroxide, 36 mm disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate and 0.5 mm cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. EOF was reversed to detect uronic acids and to improve the separation of neutral sugars. The established method was validated and the results showed good linearity, high precision and satisfactory sensitivity. The newly developed method was successfully applied to analyze galacturonic acid and glucuronic acid content in Forsythia suspensa polysaccharides. The method is fast since only sample hydrolysis and dilution are required in the sample preparation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal ion capillary zone electrophoresis with direct UV detection: Comparison of different migration modes for negatively charged chelates

Summary Several migration modes suitable for capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) separation of metal ions in the form of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid complexes are described and compared. Superior analysis time, resolution, efficiency and detectability were achieved using reversed movement of anionic metal complexes (in the anode-to-cathode direction) under the action of the electroosmotic flow. This method allows the CZE analysis of multicomponent mixtures of transition metal ions as well as aluminium within about six minutes.     

Direct determination of sialic acids in serum by capillary electrophoresis with UV detection

Summary A novel method for the determination of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (NGNA) has been developed using high-performance capillary electrophoresis with UV detection at 195 nm, without pre or post-column derivatisation. The acids were separated in a 50-cm, fused-silica capillary (50μ i.d, 45.5-cm effective length) with Na₂B₄O₇−Na₂HPO₄ buffer. The detection limit for NANA is a concentration of 9.6×10⁻⁶ M or, in terms of mass:3.879×10⁻¹⁴ mol (39 fmol). This method is applicable to determination of NANA in normal human serum. The results were also compared with those of the colorimetrie method.     

Sub-femtomole determination of DABSYL-amino acids with capillary zone electrophoresis separation and laser-induced thermo-optical absorbance detection

Fifteen amino acids are determined as the DABSYL (4-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4'-sulfonyl chloride) derivative with capillary zone electrophoresis separation and low-power laser-induced thermo-optical detection. Separation efficiencies are on the order of 200 000 theoretical plates and the detection limit, 3 s, is 200 attomole of glycine injected onto the column. At the detection limit, 0.7 attomole of glycine is present within the 40 picoliter detection volume.     

Using capillary electrophoresis for the determination of organic acids in Port wine

The simultaneous separation and determination of organic acids in several samples of white and red Port wines was performed by capillary zone electrophoresis using indirect UV detection with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid as a background electrolyte buffer. Operational parameters like migration time, temperature, voltage and capillary length were optimized. Sixteen samples of red wine and four samples of white wine were used to analyze for tartaric, malic, lactic, succinic and acetic acids using glyoxylic acid as the internal standard. The method is rapid, sensitive and quantitative, and time-consuming sample preparation, such as solid-phase extraction or liquid-liquid extraction procedure, is not required.     

Understanding and improving direct UV detection of monosaccharides and disaccharides in free solution capillary electrophoresis

Direct UV detection of carbohydrates in free solution capillary electrophoresis at 270 nm is made possible by a photo-oxidation reaction. Glucose, rhamnose and xylose were shown to have unique UV absorption spectra hypothesizing different UV absorbing intermediates for their respective photo-oxidation. NMR spectroscopy of the photo-oxidation end products proved they consisted of carboxylates and not malondialdehyde as previously theorized and that oxygen thus plays a key role in the photo-oxidation pathway. Adding the photo-initiator Irgacure^® 2959 in the background electrolyte increased sensitivity by 40% at an optimum concentration of 1 × 10⁻⁴ mM and 1 × 10⁻⁸ mM for conventional 50 μm i.d. capillaries and for the corresponding extended light path capillaries, respectively.     

In‐line preconcentration capillary zone electrophoresis for the analysis of haloacetic acids in water

Two in‐line enrichment procedures (large volume sample stacking (LVSS) and field amplified sample injection (FASI)) have been evaluated for the CZE analysis of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in drinking water. For LVSS, separation on normal polarity using 20 mM acetic acid–ammonium acetate (pH 5.5) containing 20% ACN as BGE was required. For FASI, the optimum conditions were 25 s hydrodynamic injection (3.5 kPa) of a water plug followed by 25 s electrokinetic injection (?10 kV) of the sample, and 200 mM formic acid–ammonium formate buffer at pH 3.0 as BGE. For both FASI and LVSS methods, linear calibration curves (r²>0.992), limit of detection on standards prepared in Milli‐Q water (49.1–200 μg/L for LVSS and 4.2–48 μg/L for FASI), and both run‐to‐run and day‐to‐day precisions (RSD values up to 15.8% for concentration) were established. Due to the higher sensitive enhancement (up to 310‐fold) achieved with FASI‐CZE, this method was selected for the analysis of HAAs in drinking water. However, for an optimal FASI application sample salinity was removed by SPE using Oasis WAX cartridges. With SPE‐FASI‐CZE, method detection limits in the range 0.05–0.8 μg/L were obtained, with recoveries, in general, higher than 90% (around 65% for monochloroacetic and monobromoacetic acids). The applicability of the SPE‐FASI‐CZE method was evaluated by analyzing drinking tap water from Barcelona where seven HAAs were found at concentration levels between 3 and 13 μg/L.