Simultaneous determination of metal ions, amino acids, and other small biogenic molecules in human serum by capillary zone electrophoresis with transient isotachophoretic preconcentration

CE with indirect UV detection was used for the simultaneous determination of lithium, magnesium, calcium, creatinine, carnitine, and a number of amino acids in human serum. The target analytes, positively charged under acidic electrolyte conditions, were separated with positive separation voltage polarity using 10 mM 4-methylbenzylamine, 4.5 mM citric acid, 25% (v/v) methanol at pH 4.05 as background electrolyte providing optimal separation. When analyzing real samples, however, some peaks were broadened due to essentially destacking conditions. In order to maintain the separation efficiency and also enhance the detection sensitivity, transient isotachophoresis (tITP) sample stacking was applied and yielded theoretical plate numbers in the range from 160,000 (arginine) to 350,000 (creatinine). The limit of detection values with tITP preconcentration were 0.11-0.26 mg L(-1) for metal cations, 1.0 mg L(-1) for creatinine, and 1.3-3.9 mg L(-1) for histidine, lysine, arginine, and ornithine. The method precision for peak areas was from 0.4 to 5.0% relative standard deviation using the matrix sodium as internal standard. The accuracy of the developed tITP-CZE system was verified by consistent results for Li+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and creatinine obtained on analyzing two serum certified reference materials. The only sample preparation required was ultrafiltration and acidification (to release protein-bound alkaline earths), and working ranges for individual analytes corresponded well to clinical concentration ranges.     

Separation of twenty underivatized essential amino acids by capillary zone electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection

Twenty underivatized essential amino acids were separated using capillary zone electrophoresis and consequently detected with contactless conductivity detection (CCD). A simple acidic background electrolyte (BGE) containing 2.3 M acetic acid and 0.1% w/w hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) allowed the electrophoretic separation and sensitive detection of all 20 essential amino acids in their underivatized cationic form. The addition of HEC to the BGE suppressed both, electroosmotic flow and analyte adsorption on the capillary surface resulting in an excellent migration time reproducibility and a very good analyte peak symmetry. Additionally, the HEC addition significantly reduced the noise and long-term fluctuations of the CCD baseline. The optimized electrophoretic separation method together with the CCD was proved to be a powerful technique for determination of amino acid profiles in various natural samples, like beer, yeast, urine, saliva, and herb extracts.     

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     

Microchip capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detector for fast measurements of aromatic amino acids

A method based on microchip capillary electrophoresis with amperometric detection was developed for the rapid separation and direct detection of oxidizable aromatic amino acids (without prior derivatization). The working electrode was a thick-film carbon strip electrode positioned opposite the outlet of the separation channel. Factors influencing the separation and detection processes were examined and optimized. The five aromatic amino acids, tyrosine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, tryptophan, p-aminobenzoic acid, and m-aminobenzoic acid, can be well separated within 5 min using a separation voltage of 2000 V and a 25 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) run buffer containing 50 mM sodium dodecylsulfate. Most favorable amperometric detection was obtained at +0.95 V. Linear calibration plots are observed for micromolar concentrations of the oxidizable amino acids. The new protocol offers good stability and for reproducibility, with relative S.D. of less than 5% for both migration times and peak currents (n=8). It should be useful for the analysis of aromatic amino acids, as desired for life sciences.     

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.     

用基于1.5次微分伏安法及小波信号处理的毛细管电泳分离检测混合氨基酸

以铜圆盘电极为工作电极,利用毛细管电泳-1.5次微分伏安法检测系统,在10 mmol/L混合磷酸盐缓冲溶液中,对3种氨基酸(色氨酸、组氨酸、苏氨酸)的分离检测条件进行了研究,采用小波技术,对含有高频扫描响应信号的复合信号进行分离和重构,获得电泳分离图谱.研究结果表明:在1.67×10-3～2.17×10-6 mol/L范围内可达r≥0.995的良好线性,该方法对苏氨酸、色氨酸和组氨酸的检出限分别可达1.91×10-8、3.05×10-7和2.50×10-7mol/L.     

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.     

Analysis of amino acids in individual human erythrocytes by capillary electrophoresis with electroporation for intracellular derivatization and laser-induced fluorescence detection

A method for monitoring amino acids in single erythrocytes is described. For intracellular derivatization, reagent fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was introduced into living cells by electroporation. For an 8 microm erythrocyte, the analytes were diluted by a factor of only 1.6. After completion of the derivatization reaction, a single cell was injected into the separation capillary tip and lysed there. The derivatized amino acids were separated by capillary electrophoresis, followed by laser-induced fluorescence detection. Nine amino acids were quantitatively determined, with amounts of amino acids ranging from 3.8-32 amol/single cell.     

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.     

Chiral separation of halogenated amino acids by ligand-exchange capillary electrophoresis

The chiral separation of halogenated amino acids by ligand-exchange CE is described. Halogenated amino acids attracted increasing interest in recent years because of their physiological activities. Different chiral selectors, as there are L-4-hydroxyproline, L-histidine, and N-alkyl derivatives of L-4-hydroxyproline in form of their copper(II) complexes, are compared for their chiral recognition ability for halogenated amino acids. The influence of various parameters, such as selector concentration, pH, organic modifier, and field strength, on the resolution was investigated. All halogenated amino acids investigated were baseline-separated under optimized conditions.     

Determination of amino acids in tea leaves and beverages using capillary electrophoresis with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection

The combination of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence (LED-IF) detection has been demonstrated in the analysis of major amino acids in tea leaves and beverages. The separation efficiency of amino acids, which were derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), depended on the capillary length and PEO concentration. We suggested that the interactions between the NDA derivatives and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) molecules are based on hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic patches, and Van der Waals forces. The magnitude of EOF and the interactions between them can be further controlled by the capillary length. The separation of 17 NDA-amino acids derivatives was completed within 16 min using 0.5% PEO and 60 cm capillary length. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) of their migration times (n = 5) were less than 2.7%. Additionally, the limits of detection at signal-to-noise ratio 3 for the tested amino acids ranged from 3.6 to 28.3 nM. Quantitative determination of amino acids in tea leaves and beverages was accomplished by our proposed method. This study showed that amino acid present in highest concentration in tea leaves and beverages is γ-aminobutyric acid and theanine, respectively. The experimental results suggest that our proposed methods have great potential in the investigation of the biofunction of different tea samples.     

Automated sampling system for the analysis of amino acids using microfluidic capillary electrophoresis

An improved automated continuous sample introduction system for microfluidic capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. A sample plate was designed into gear-shaped and was fixed onto the shaft of a step motor. Twenty slotted reservoirs for containing samples and working electrolytes were fabricated on the “gear tooth” of the plate. A single 7.5-cm long Teflon AF-coated silica capillary serves as separation channel, sampling probe, as well as liquid-core waveguide (LCW) for light transmission. Platinum layer deposited on the capillary tip serves as the electrode. Automated continuous sample introduction was achieved by scanning the capillary tip through the slots of reservoirs. The sample was introduced into capillary and separated immediately in the capillary with only about 2-nL gross sample consumption. The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) method with LCW technique was used for detecting fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled amino acids. With electric-field strength of 320 V/cm for injection and separation, and 1.0-s sample injection time, a mixture of FITC-labeled arginine and leucine was separated with a throughput of 60/h and a carryover of 2.7%.     

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.     

On-capillary derivatization and analysis of amino acids in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection: application to diagnosis of aminoacidopathies

A capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection method for the analysis of free amino acids (AA) in human plasma was developed. A mixture of 16 AA was on-capillary derivatized with 3-(2-furoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (FQ) and separated inside the capillary in less than 30 min using 70 mM borax-3.5 mM SDS pH 9.3 as running buffer. Four plasma samples from a healthy donor and patients suffering from phenylketonuria, propionic acidemia, and tyrosinemia type II were studied. Repeatabilities calculated as intra-day RSD (n = 3) values for the AA involved in these aminoacidopathies (glycine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine) were in the range of 0.3 to 1.2% for migration time and 3.7 to 8.2% for peak height. Reproducibilities calculated as inter-day RSD (n = 4) values for the same AA were between 0.7 and 1.4% for migration time and 4.7 and 9.1% for peak height. A fast qualitative analysis allowed the identification of the corresponding disease by comparing the electrophoretic profiles from the patient and the healthy donor and noting the increased level of the specific AA accompanying each individual disease. The results of the quantitative analysis for glycine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine in the plasma samples studied using the developed method showed a good agreement with those provided by the Center of Diagnosis of Molecular Diseases using a standard method for AA analysis.     

毛细管区带电泳法间接测定红细胞中的主要无机阳离子

建立了间接测定红细胞中主要无机阳离子的毛细管区带电泳方法, 考察了背景溶液pH、咪唑和酒石酸浓度等对无机离子分离效果及峰面积的影响. 以10 mmol/L咪唑-4 mmol/L酒石酸(pH 5.5)为背景, 在15 kV、214 nm的条件下, 对红细胞中K 、Mg2 、Ca2 和Zn2 进行了定性、定量分析, 回收率在96%～104%之间, 迁移时间和峰面积的相对标准偏差分别低于0.76%和2.8%(日内), 0.85%和3.7%(日间). 所建方法有望成为一种测定细胞内离子含量的辅助方法.     

One-pot labeling-based capillary zone electrophoresis for separation of amino acid mixture and assay of biofluids

A fast, simple and cost-effective one-pot labeling strategy coupled with capillary zone electrophoresis was developed for the complete separation of amino acid mixture. The strategy includes two steps of reactions: Cyanuric chloride was made to react first with 7-amino-1,3-naphthalenedisulfonic acid monopotassium salt at 0 °C for 10 min, and then with amino acids at 55 °C for 6 min. The resulted products, after diluted with water, were injected into capillary zone electrophoresis system for separation. Using a running buffer of 20 mM sodium tetraborate decahydrate at pH 10.1, nineteen amino acids were efficiently separated in 25 min, with relative standard deviation of 0.36–1.6% and 0.96–2.1% (within and between days, respectively) for migration time and 0.030–1.6% and 0.22–2.4% (within and between days, respectively) for peak area. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of free amino acids in biofluids, including human serum, urine, and saliva. The linearity of quantification was over two orders of magnitude for most amino acids, with a correlation coefficient larger than 0.999. The average recovery, determined by spiking a known amount of amino acid standards into real samples, was in a range from 91.6% to 105.9%. This method can be a noninvasive means since it could directly assay the urine and saliva samples.     

Efficient capillary electrophoresis separation and determination of free amino acids in beer samples

Simultaneous detection of various o‐phthalaldehyde (OPA)‐labeled amino acids (AAs) in food samples was reported based on CE separation. Ionic liquid was used for the first time for CE analysis of AAs with in‐capillary derivatization. Several other additives, including SDS, α/β‐CD, and ACN, as well as key parameters for CE separation (buffer pH value, separation voltage), were also investigated. Our results show that the multiple additive strategy exhibits good stable and repeatable character for CE analysis of OPA‐labeled AAs, for either in‐capillary derivatization or CE separation, and allows simultaneous quantification of different OPA‐labeled AAs in a large concentration range of 50 μM to 3.0 mM with LOD down to 10 μM. Seventeen OPA‐labeled AAs, except for two pairs of AAs (His/Gln and Phe/Leu), which were separated with resolutions of 1.1 and 1.2, respectively, were baseline separated and identified within 23 min using the present multiple additive strategy. The method was successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of AAs in seven beer samples and as many as eleven trace‐amount AAs were detected and quantified, indicating the valuable potential application of the present method for food analysis.     

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.     

Analysis of amino acids in latent fingerprint residue by capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry

The analysis of the chemical composition of fingerprints is important for the development and improvement of existing fingerprint enhancement techniques. This study demonstrates the first analysis of a latent fingerprint sample, using an optimized CE‐MS method. In total 12 amino acids were detected in the fingerprint sample. MS/MS fragmentation was used to provide additional identity confirmation, for which eight of the twelve detected amino acids generated confirmatory product ions. Nine amino acids were quantified and their relative abundances were consistent with previous studies with serine and glycine being the most abundant. The successful detection of amino acids from latent fingerprints demonstrates that CE‐MS is a potential future technique for further study of such compounds in fingerprint samples.     

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.