Determination of inorganic ions in mineral water by gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis

A sensitive method was developed for the determination of the major inorganic ions in commercial mineral waters using gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. This application was the first to demonstrate the separation of cations and anions simultaneously using gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis. Seven ionic analytes (calcium, chloride, magnesium, nitrate, potassium, sodium, and sulfate) were separated in less than 7 min with detection values in the low μmol/L to sub-μmol/L range. Calculated values of the major ions in three commercial mineral waters were compared to reported values with good correlation. In another application, phosphate and arsenate were separated in less than 2 min with limits of detection of 300 and 140 nmol/L, respectively. For all standard analyses, the RSD for migration times and peak areas were under 3%.     

Microchannel wall coatings for protein separations by capillary and chip electrophoresis

The necessity for microchannel wall coatings in capillary and chip-based electrophoretic analysis of biomolecules is well understood. The regulation or elimination of EOF and the prevention of analyte adsorption is essential for the rapid, efficient separation of proteins and DNA within microchannels. Microchannel wall coatings and other wall modifications are especially critical for protein separations, both in fused-silica capillaries, and in glass or polymeric microfluidic devices. In this review, we present a discussion of recent advances in microchannel wall coatings of three major classes--covalently linked polymeric coatings, physically adsorbed polymeric coatings, and small molecule additives. We also briefly review modifications useful for polymeric microfluidic devices. Within each category of wall coatings, we discuss those used to eliminate EOF, to tune EOF, to prevent analyte adsorption, or to perform multiple functions. The knowledgeable application of the most promising recent developments in this area will allow for the separation of complex protein mixtures and for the development of novel microchannel wall modifications.     

Inorganic oxidizer detection from propellants,pyrotechnics, and homemade explosive powders using gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis

Advancement in rapid targeted chemical analysis of homemade and improvised explosive devices is critical for the identification of explosives-based hazards and threats. Gradient elution moving boundary electrophoresis (GEMBE), a robust electrokinetic separation technique, was employed for the separation and detection of common inorganic oxidizers from frequently encountered fuel-oxidizer mixtures. The GEMBE system incorporated sample and run buffer reservoirs, a short capillary (5 cm), an applied electric field, and a pressure-driven counterflow. GEMBE provided a separation format that allowed for continuous injection of sample, selectivity of analytes, and no sample cleanup or filtration prior to analysis. Nitrate, chlorate, and perchlorate oxidizers were successfully detected from low explosive propellants (e.g., black powders and black powder substitutes), pyrotechnics (e.g., flash powder), and tertiary explosive mixtures (e.g., ammonium nitrate- and potassium chlorate-based fuel-oxidizer mixtures). Separation of these mixtures exhibited detection without interference from a plethora of additional organic and inorganic fuels, enabled single particle analysis, and demonstrated semiquantitative capabilities. The bulk counterflow successfully excluded difficult components from fouling the capillary, yielding estimated limits of detection down to approximately 10 μmol/L. Finally, nitrate was separated and detected from postblast debris collected and directly analyzed from two nitrate-based charges.     

Optimization of separations of alkyl-substituted phenolate anions by capillary zone electrophoresis

Anions of alkylphenols have very similar electrophoretic mobilities in CZE owing to their very small differences in size and the narrow range of their pK_a values. By studying electrophoretic mobility as a function both of pH and of the amount of acetonitrile in the electrolyte solution, optimum separation conditions were determined. It was possible to separate a group of methyl-substituted phenols, including several positional isomers. Mixtures containing n-propyl and isopropyl phenols and 1°, 2°, and 3° butylphenols could be resolved.     

Chiral separations of transition metal complexes using capillary zone electrophoresis.

Several buffer additives that may facilitate chiral separation for optically active transition metal (TM) systems are investigated using capillary zone electrophoresis. The TM complexes evaluated exhibit considerable heterogeneity with respect to total complex charge (0 to 4+), ligand type, and identity of the central metal including Ru2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, and Co3+, threo-D[+]-Isocitrate, potassium antimonyl-d-tartrate and dibenzoyl-L-tartrate are identified as the most efficient chiral selectors. Interestingly, TM complexes exhibiting a (3+) total complex charge exhibit a reversal of enantiomer elution order versus all other complexes when separated using the tartrate additives. Operating parameters including pH, temperature, and capillary length are discussed, and chiral separations of complex mixtures are demonstrated.     

Column switching in zone electrophoresis on a chip

This feasibility study deals with column switching in zone electrophoresis (ZE) separations on a column coupling (CC) chip. The column switching implemented into the ZE separations an on-chip sample clean up applicable for both the multicomponent and high salinity samples. In addition, complemented by different separation mechanisms in the coupled columns (channels), it provided benefits of two-dimensional separations. Properly timed column switching gave column-to-column transfers of the analytes, characterized by 99-102% recoveries, delivered to the second separation stage on the chip the analyte containing fractions contaminated only with minimum amounts of the matrix constituents. A diffusion driven transport of the matrix constituents to the second channel of the chip (due to direct contacts of the electrolyte solutions in the bifurcation region), representing 0.1-0.2% of the loaded sample constituents, was found to accompany the sample clean up performed on the CC chip. This source of potential disturbances to the separation in the second channel, however, is not detectable in a majority of practical situations. With respect to a 900 nl volume of the sample channel on the CC chip, the electric field and isotachophoresis (ITP) stackings were employed to minimize the injection dispersion in the separations and concentrate the analytes. Here, the column switching, removing a major part of the stacker from the separation system, provided a tool effective in a control of the destacking of analytes. Highly reproducible ZE separations as attained in this work also for the chip-to-chip and equipment-to-equipment frames can be ascribed, at least in part, to suppressions of electroosmotic and hydrodynamic flows of the solutions in which the separations were performed.     

Microchip analysis of lithium in blood using moving boundary electrophoresis and zone electrophoresis

The determination of inorganic cations in blood plasma is demonstrated using a combination of moving boundary electrophoresis (MBE) and zone electrophoresis. The sample loading performed under MBE conditions is studied with the focus on the quantitative analysis of lithium. A concentration adjustment takes place when the sample components migrate into the chip during the sample loading step. Using a heart-cutting method, a diluted sample plug is subsequently separated with capillary zone electrophoresis. The excessive dispersion that is typical of the samples with a high ionic strength is thereby prevented. The method can be easily applied to commercially available capillary electrophoresis microchips under the condition that the electroosmotic flow is suppressed. For the first time the lithium concentration is determined in the blood plasma from a patient on lithium therapy without sample pretreatment. Using a microchip with conductivity detection, a detection limit of 0.1 mmol/L is obtained for lithium in a 140 mmol/L sodium matrix.     

Hybrid phospholipid bilayer coatings for separations of cationic proteins in capillary zone electrophoresis

Protein separations in CZE suffer from nonspecific adsorption of analytes to the capillary surface. Semipermanent phospholipid bilayers have been used to minimize adsorption, but must be regenerated regularly to ensure reproducibility. We investigated the formation, characterization, and use of hybrid phospholipid bilayers (HPBs) as more stable biosurfactant capillary coatings for CZE protein separations. HPBs are formed by covalently modifying a support with a hydrophobic monolayer onto which a self‐assembled lipid monolayer is deposited. Monolayers prepared in capillaries using 3‐cyanopropyldimethylchlorosilane (CPDCS) or n‐octyldimethylchlorosilane (ODCS) yielded hydrophobic surfaces with lowered surface free energies of 6.0 ± 0.3 or 0.2 ± 0.1 mJ m^?2, respectively, compared to 17 ± 1 mJ m^?2 for bare silica capillaries. HPBs were formed by subsequently fusing vesicles comprised of 1,2‐dilauroyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine or 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine to CPDCS‐ or ODCS‐modified capillaries. The resultant HPB coatings shielded the capillary surface and yielded reduced electroosmotic mobility (1.3–1.9 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1s^?1) compared to CPDCS‐ and ODCS‐modified or bare capillaries (3.6 ± 0.2 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1s^?1, 4.8 ± 0.4 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1s^?1, and 6.0 ± 0.2 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1s^?1, respectively), with increased stability compared to phospholipid bilayer coatings. HPB‐coated capillaries yielded reproducible protein migration times (RSD ≤ 3.6%, n ≥ 6) with separation efficiencies as high as 200 000 plates/m.     

Up-scaling capillary zone electrophoresis separations of polydisperse anionic polyelectrolytes with preparative free-flow electrophoresis exemplified with a soil fulvic acid

A scale-up of analytical capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) to preparative free-flow electrophoresis (FFE) is described. FFE allows fractionations based on charge densities in larger amounts than in CZE, enabling further off-line analysis of the fractions. Model compounds (carboxylic acids and polystyrene sulfonates) showed a similar behavior in FFE as in CZE. Diffusion and electrodynamic distortion effects are more pronounced in FFE than in CZE. A soil fulvic acid was analyzed by CZE and fractionated by FFE. A comparison of the FFE fractions with CZE measurements of the same sample using the effective mobility scale showed good agreement of the two methods.     

Continuous sample collection in capillary zone electrophoresis by coupling the outlet of a capillary to a moving surface

Use of an on-column frit structure, constructed by sintering a mixture of glass powders, makes it possible to ground a fused-silica capillary on its side prior to its outlet. Electroosmotic pressure permits convenient sample collection. We illustrate the use of this device by depositing the eluent in a continuous manner on a moving surface. This provides a permanent record of the separated species in a mixture.     

Quantitative investigations on moving chelation boundary within a continuous EDTA-based sample sweeping system in capillary electrophoresis

Recently, the EDTA-based sweeping of metal ion that combines chelate formation and in-line sample pre-concentration was advanced. However, the moving chelation boundary (MCB) existing in the sweeping system has not been investigated for the quantitative illumination of the mechanism of metal ion sweeping yet. In this paper, the model of MCB was developed from the EDTA-based sweeping. The theoretical studies were performed for boundary movements and controllable sweeping of metal ion. The theoretical studies show that the sweeping system contains the MCB boundary and chelate boundary, and the difference between the MCB and chelate boundary velocities plays a key role in the stacking efficiency of metal ion. To demonstrate the validity of the theoretical conclusion, the experiments of continuous EDTA-based sweeping were performed with CE and a home-made apparatus of a large tube. The home-made apparatus consisted of a glass tube used for the run of continuous EDTA-based sweeping and two peristaltic pumps used for the supply of solution. The experimental results were in accordance with the theoretical conclusions above. The developed theory holds evident for significance for the mechanism of controllable stacking of metal ions in EDTA-based sweeping system in CE.     

Chiral separations by host-guest complexation with cyclodextrin and crown ether in capillary zone electrophoresis

Summary Capillary zone electrophoresis using cyclodextrins and a chiral crown ether as buffer constituents was studied for the enantiomeric separation of drugs and amino acids. Based on results obtained from separation of racemic -amino acids both chiral selectors are compared with respect to resolution, efficiency and retention time. For (±)-Quinagolide effects of buffer composition and temperature are examined using -cyclodextrin as chiral agent. Optimum conditions were pH 2.5 at 30 mmol L^–1 -cyclodextrin. A linear dependence of retention on -cyclodextrin concentration allowed calculation of formation constants of the host-guest complexes. Buffer concentration and temperature also influence resolution. The application of a chiral crown ether to the separation of optical isomers in capillary zone electrophoresis is described for the first time. Chiral recognition of solutes depends on the formation of protonated alkyl amines and separation is attributed to the formation of diastereomeric host-guest complexes with different interactions for each enantiomer. The effects of crown ether concentration on resolution are presented.     

Computer simulation on a continuous moving chelation boundary in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-based sample sweeping in capillary electrophoresis

This paper introduces a mathematic mode of moving chelation boundary (MCB) for computer simulation of a continuous EDTA-based sample sweeping in capillary electrophoresis (CE). Besides the equations of MCB used herein, the mode also includes electro-neutrality equation, constant current density, jump boundary condition of MCB, Kohlrausch’ regulating function expressed in MCB formulation, product of water, ionic apparent mobility, ionic strength and conductivity of electrolyte as well as simple equilibrium reaction, etc. The simulation software is developed based on the mode. With the software the relevant simulation is carried out, and the corresponding experiments on a MCB are performed. The results on the simulation and experiments demonstrate that (1) the software can simulate a dynamic process, characteristic peak shape and relevant electrophoregram of a MCB; (2) the simulator can quantitatively compute velocities of MCB and complex boundary (CB), all of ionic concentrations (especially the concentration of complex) and sweeping efficiency; (3) these simulation results mentioned above are generally in accordance with the experiments. The simulation software holds evident significances for the study on a MCB and conditional optimization in such an EDTA-based sample sweeping of metal ion in CE.     

应用移动反应界面富集技术进行毛细管电泳尿液指纹分析

快速灵敏的尿液指纹图谱分析对于临床诊断中发现新的生物标记至关重要。该文建立了一种简便、快速、灵敏的移动反应界面(MRB)介导的富集技术进行毛细管电泳尿液指纹图谱分析。MRB由25 mmol/L甘氨酸（Gly）-HCl（pH 2.5）作为样品缓冲液和50 mmol/L Gly-NaOH（pH 12.3）作为电泳缓冲液形成。与常规的毛细管区带电泳只能观察到尿液中不到10个峰相比,采用MRB可以观察到超过80个峰并将检测灵敏度提高了至少十几倍,显示该方法对于代谢组学分析具有重要的意义。     

Optimization of peptide separations in reversed-phase HPLC: Isocratic versus gradient elution

Summary We have determined the interaction behaviour of peptides with hydrophobic stationary phases on analytical columns using isnocratic or shallow gradient elution for the purpose of developing procedures for rapid optimization of conditions for preparative reversed-phase chromatography of peptides. From our investigation of the separation of two closely related decapeptides (differing by one methyl group), in a 1:1 molar ratio on an analytical C8 column, we have found that shallow gradients of 0.1% acetonitrile/min appeared to be the best compromise between resolution and a practical run time for preparative peptide separations. Up to 20mg of the two-peptide mixture was efficiently resolved on the analytical column, with >97% recovery of homogeneous peptides.     

Hemoglobin A2 quantification by capillary zone electrophoresis

Hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) comprises about 2.2% of the total hemoglobin in the erythrocytes. The separation and quantitation of this minor hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using an arginine Tris buffer is described. Some of the variables affecting the accuracy and precision of HbA2 quantification are investigated. Furthermore, the quantification of this hemoglobin by CE is compared to that of a microcolumn chromatography method. The CE method is better suited than the microcolumn method for measuring HbA2 in the sickle cell trait.