Use of a heterogeneous buffer combination in microchip electrophoresis for high-resolution separation by on-line concentration of DNA samples

We have developed a novel high-resolution separation technique of DNA fragments in a heterogeneous combination of a sample buffer and a separation buffer. The use of a heterogeneous buffer combination is a simple method for on-line concentration of DNA fragments, in which a sample buffer is simply exchanged with one including taurine anions. The mobility of taurine anions, co-ions for DNA, is lower than the that of acetate anions in a separation buffer. The difference in the mobility invokes transient isotachophoresis. The current technique allows DNA fragments to be effectively concentrated and the separation length of microchips to be shorter than that of conventional ones by a factor of three without deterioration in separation resolution and any modification of a chip design. Fragments of 100-bp DNA ladders (100-1000 bp) were separated with high resolution (0.72-10.7) within 60 s with a 10 mm separation length on a polymethyl methacrylate chip. Furthermore, fragments of 10-bp DNA ladders (10-330 bp) were separated with high resolution (0.69-2.00) with a 10 mm separation length within 50 s without band broadening. The current achievements will make it possible to fabricate compact devices for microchip electrophoresis.     

Separation of structurally related synthetic peptides by capillary zone electrophoresis

The separation of two different sets of synthetic peptides has been investigated by high-performance capillary zone electrophoresis utilising naked, fused silica capillaries. The effects of electrolyte pH, buffer concentration, capillary length and electric field strength on the separation efficiency and selectivity were systematically varied, with the highest resolution achieved with buffer electrolytes of low pH and relatively high ionic strength. Under optimised separation conditions utilising the "short end injection" separation approach with negative electric field polarity, a series of eight structurally-related synthetic peptides were baseline resolved within 4 min without addition of any modifier of the background electrolyte with separation efficiencies in the vicinity of 600000 theoretical plates/m. Further significant enhancement of separation efficiencies could be achieved by taking advantage of the "long end injection" approach with positive electric field polarity. The outcome of these experimental variations parallels the "sweeping" effect that has been observed in the capillary electrochromatographic and micellar electrokinetic separations of polar molecules and permits rapid resolution of peptides with focusing effects. In addition, small changes in the electrolyte buffer pH and concentration were found to have a significant impact on the selectivity of synthetic peptides of similar intrinsic charge. These observations indicate that multi-modal separation mechanisms operated under these conditions with the unmodified fused silica capillaries. This study, moreover, documents additional examples of peptide-specific multi-zoning behaviour in the high-performance capillary zone electrophoretic separation of synthetic peptides.     

Effect of buffer flow on DNA separation in a microfabricated electrophoresis system

An adequate buffer reservoir is one essential component of an electrophoresis system, providing current carrying ions and maintaining constant pH. In a microfabricated DNA separation system with on-chip electrodes, the amount of buffer used is limited by the design of the device; the buffer continuity can be easily disturbed by the production of bubbles. Continuously flowing 1 x Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer over the electrodes at the cathodic end solves both problems. This flow increases the resolution for ssDNA primer separations (21 and 25 bases) to a maximum value of 1.4 within a distance of 1.2 cm, about four times higher than that without flow. Similar improvement has been achieved for dsDNA separation (20 bp ladder; BioRad) at a distance of only 0.4 cm, giving baseline resolution for bands from 20 to 240 bp. We have also investigated the effect of buffer concentration on resolution, and no similar improvement can be obtained by merely increasing the buffer concentration without flow.     

毛细管电泳法测定非水溶性药物——复方降压片

在区带电泳中,应用在背景电解质中加入乙腈的方法对复方降压片的两种主要成分利血平、双氢氯噻嗪进行了分离和定量测定。５次重复测定的相对标准偏差小于３％,检出限分别为０．２６９ｍｇ／Ｌ和１．８４ｍｇ／Ｌ,并对ｐＨ值、磷酸盐浓度及乙腈用量进行了考察。     

Monosubstituted positively charged cyclodextrins: Synthesis and applications in chiral separation

Several series of novel structurally well-defined positively charged CDs, applicable to alpha-, beta- and gamma-CDs for chiral separation using CE and chromatographic techniques have been developed. The chiral resolution capabilities of different series CDs towards amino acids and anionic analytes in CE are systematically investigated by considering all separation parameters including CD type, alkyl chain length of the cations attached to the CD rim, CD concentration, buffer pH, separation temperature and organic solvent. Typical results are demonstrated in the context. Examples of chiral separation with HPLC and supercritical fluid chromatography are first demonstrated by using coated chiral stationary phases (CSPs). Optimum CD loading content on the coated CSPs was explored in the chiral separation of neutral analytes.     

Separation of basic drug enantiomers by capillary zone electrophoresis using glucuronyl glucosyl beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral selector.

Separations of basic drug enantiomers have been investigated using glucuronyl glucosyl beta-cyclodextrin (GUG beta-CD) as a chiral selector in the background electrolyte by capillary zone electrophoresis. The effects of GUG beta-CD concentration and running buffer pH on the migration times and resolution of 16 basic drug enantiomers were precisely examined using a linear polyacrylamide-coated capillary. High resolution of 16 basic drug enantiomers was generally attained with a running buffer pH 2.5 or 3.5 containing 10 mM GUG beta-CD. Next, we compared the chiral resolution abilities of GUG beta-CD with those of beta-CD and maltosyl beta-CD (G2 beta-CD). GUG beta-CD showed higher resolution for basic drug enantiomers tested than beta-CD and G2 beta-CD. This could be due to that hydrogen bonding or ionic interactions of uncharged and charged glucuronyl glucosyl groups of GUG beta-CD with an analyte could stabilize the inclusion complex.     

Synthesis and application of single-isomer 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-cyclodextrins as chiral selectors in chiral capillary electrophoresis

Novel single isomers of positively charged beta-CDs were prepared via nucleophilic substitution of 6-monotosyl-beta-CD with alkylimidazoles to afford 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-CD tosylates and then 6-mono(alkylimidazolium)-beta-CD chlorides by anion exchange. The chiral resolution abilities of these cationic CDs were studied by CE using dansyl (Dns)-amino acids as model analytes. From the experimental results, it was found that both resolution and selectivity of these cationic CDs were dependent on the following parameters: concentration of chiral selectors, pH of the running buffer, counteranions of the CDs, side chain length of the n-alkyl-imidazolium cation, temperature of the capillary column, and organic modifier used. The concentration of chiral selectors required for enantioseparation varied from 3 to 30 mM. The BGE pH played an important role in the resolution of Dns-amino acids. For acidic BGEs, chiral resolution increased with pH (4.0-6.0) and reached a local maximum at pH 6.0. However, better resolutions were obtained with basic phosphate buffer at pH 9.6. Methanol was found to be an effective organic modifier for the resolution of Dns-amino acids by CE.     

Surfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes as a novel pseudostationary phase in capillary EKC

The analytical potential of the use of surfactant-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SC-SWNTs) as pseudostationary phase in CE is described. The pseudostationary phase shows an efficient alternative in enhancing electrochromatographic resolution of compounds which are capable of interacting with a nanotube surface, such as aromatic compounds. In general, the resolution is enhanced by increasing nanotube concentration in the buffer but the maximum amount of SWNTs that can be added to background electrolyte was found limited by compatibility with the UV/visible detection. As an alternative, a low-extension partial filling was used, consisting of the introduction into the capillary of concentrated SC-SWNT, just before the sample, with a plug length similar to the sample one. This has been showed as a reliable procedure in increasing resolution and sensitivity by sweeping phenomena. Finally, the potential of SC-SWNTs to perform chiral separations is discussed.     

Separation and determination of homologues of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates by nonaqueous capillary zone electrophoresis using alkylammonium salts in ethanol

The separation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) using negative polarity, and a buffer containing acetic acid and an alkylamine in nonaqueous ethanol, has been investigated. Several primary, secondary, and tertiary alkylamines with alkyl chains of different length were compared. The solutes travelled against the electroosmotic flow (EOF), and at the same time were braked by association with the alkylamine molecules or with the alkylammonium ions. The best resolution between adjacent LAS homologues (R approximately 2.1), partial isomer resolution in two peaks, and at the same time an excellent repeatability, was obtained with a small dipentylamine excess over the acetic acid. When the buffer concentration increased, resolution between the homologues increased slightly (R approximately 2.4), and a different isomer group was partially separated. A background electrolyte (BGE) containing 10 mM acetic acid and 20 mM dipentylamine to separate and quantify the homologues within 25 min is recommended. The isomer peak profile with up to three peaks can be estimated using this buffer and another one with 80 mM acetic acid and 90 mM dipentylamine. The former BGE was used to determine LAS in liquid and powder laundry detergents. The detection limit for the determination of total LAS in these products was 2.5 microg mL(-1), and the peak area and migration time interday repeatabilities were below 4.3 and 2.8%, respectively.     

Separation of phenothiazines in aqueous and non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis

Summary Four phenothiazines, promethazine, dioxypromethazine, chlorpromazine, and trifluoperazine have been separated by capillary electrophoresis using N,N,-dimethylformamide (DMF) as separation medium with UV absorbance detection. High voltage and concentrated buffer were used with small current and low electroosmosis. Good resolution and high column efficiency were obtained. Separation selectivity in DMF was different from that in water because of the different solvation interactions. The influence of buffer composition on separation selectivities and electroosmosis were also studied.     

Separation of carbohydrate-mediated microheterogeneity of recombinant human erythropoietin by free solution capillary electrophoresis. Effects of pH, buffer type and organic additives

Free solution capillary electrophoresis has been investigated as an alternative to isoelectric focusing for the separation of the glycoforms of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), a primary regulator of erythropoiesis. A systematic approach was used to study the effect of pH, buffer type and organic modifiers on the resolution of the microheterogeneity of erythropoietin. The main factors for improving the resolution were the regulation of the electroosmotic flow of the running buffer and the reduction of solute-wall interaction. The best resolution of the glycoforms of r-HuEPO was obtained with a mixed buffer pH 4.0 (100 mM acetate-phosphate, 10 h preequilibration time).     

Separation of reboxetine enantiomers by means of capillary electrophoresis

The novel antidepressant reboxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is increasingly used in the treatment of different forms of major depression. Reboxetine is a chiral compound, and is marketed as a racemic mixture of (R,R)- and (S,S)-reboxetine; however, the pharmacokinetic and toxicological profiles of the two enantiomers are rather different. For this reason, a simple capillary electrophoretic method for the separation of reboxetine enantiomers has been developed. Sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin was chosen as the chiral selector, and several parameters, such as cyclodextrin and buffer concentration, buffer pH and capillary temperature were investigated in order to obtain good separation and acceptable run times. Using an uncoated, fused-silica capillary (internal diameter 50 microm, total length 48.5 cm, effective length 40.0 cm) and a background electrolyte consisting of a pH 3.0, 100 mM phosphate buffer containing 1.25 mM cyclodextrin, reboxetine enantiomers were baseline separated (resolution > 4) with a voltage of 20 kV in less than 16 min. Since pure enantiomers of reboxetine were not available, they were obtained from the racemic powder by means of direct-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography and their identity confirmed by circular dichroism spectra.     

中性溶质在MEKC中柱内富集的理论研究

毛细管电动力学色谱(MEKC)中通过“扫”的技术可以使样品组分在线富集。本研究基于柱分离过程弛豫理论的基本方法,对溶质在MEKC中柱内输运过程加以研究,得到了描述进样长度及样品区带和运行区带性质差别对富集效果影响的理论表达式。通过对进样长度及溶质在两区带中的容量因子与富集效果之间关系的进一步探讨,证实溶质在胶束中的溶解度是影响富集的最重要因素;在基本不影响分离效果的情况下,适当加大进样长度一般对富集有利。     

Retention modeling and resolution optimization for a group of N-phenylpyrazole derivatives in micellar electrokinetic chromatography using empirical and physicochemical models

The optimization of the separation resolution for a group of N-phenylpyrazole derivatives in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) as a function of the separation buffer composition (surfactant and organic modifier concentration) has been performed. In order to achieve our purpose, the first step has been the prediction of the migration times of the electroosmotic flow (t(0)) and micelles (t(m)), and the retention factors of solutes (k), as a function of surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and alcohol (n-propanol or n-butanol) concentrations, by means of empirical equations. Also, some physicochemical models have been applied to relate the retention factors to the surfactant and the organic modifier concentrations in order to optimize the separation resolution and to increase our knowledge of the separation process. Finally, a comparison of the resolution optimization through the use of the physicochemical and empirical models selected has been made in order to obtain the optimum separation buffer composition for the separation of a group of 17 N-phenylpyrazole derivatives as test solutes.     

Formation of concentration gradient and its application to DNA capillary electrophoresis

A new method to introduce the concentration gradient into the capillary has been developed and its application to DNA capillary electrophoresis is presented. The concentration gradient produced by mixing 5% w/v polyacrylamide-co-poly(N-dimethylacrylamide) (PAM-co-PDMA) solution and 1 x Tris/N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-3-amino-propanesulfonic acid/EDTA (TT) + 5 M urea buffer was successfully achieved by using two programmable syringe pumps with strict control of dead volume, flow rate, and pressure balance. This method has the advantages of high stability, reproducibility, and versatility. The column with concentration gradient greatly improved the resolution, especially for the large DNA fragments, due to a decrease in band width broadening with time. A column containing 2-4% w/v gradient in four steps had a longer read length, shorter separation time and better resolution (after 380 base) than that of 4% w/v single concentration polymer solution. The number of steps in the gradient had almost no effect on the performance. The change in the average concentration by relocating the position of the same step gradient, i.e., a combination of different low concentration to high concentration polymer solution ratios, resulted in a different migration time, read length and resolution.     

Gene diagnosis of phenylketonuria by capillary electrophoresis in a novel nongel sieving polymer solution

Summary It is not possible to estimate DNA fragment lengths in undenatured buffer systems by the calibrating method because a conformation problem can occasionally predominate. Although some authors use urea as a denaturant to eliminate the influence of conformation on migration, they often experience the difficulty of loss of resolution. We have developed a novel sieving matrix with relatively low viscosity and good sieving ability, by which DNA standard PBR322/HaeIII could be separated satisfactorily. The influence of DNA conformation can also be eliminated in the same system, which makes it possible to estimate the length of a DNA fragment more precisely. Gene diagnosis and family linkage analysis of phenylketonuria (PKU) was performed as an application. A four-base-pair difference in length of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) short-tandem repeat (STR) alleles could be separated and identified, which paved the way for diagnosis of PKU by capillary electrophoresis.     

Enhanced separation of seven quinolones by capillary electrophoresis with silica nanoparticles as additive

This paper describes the enhanced separation of lomefloxacin, sparfloxacin, fleroxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, gatifloxacin and pazufloxacin by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) as running buffer additive. The impact of SiNPs concentration on the resolution and selectivity of separation was investigated and a given value of SiNPs was finally chosen under the optimum conditions. The addition of the SiNPs to the running buffer enabled electroosmotic flow (EOF) decrease and permitted full interaction between SiNPs and analytes. The influence of separation voltage, pH and buffer concentration on the separation in the presence of SiNPs was examined. Interactions between drugs and nanoparticles during the separation are discussed; the determination of interaction constants is also achieved. A good resolution of seven quinolones was obtained within 15 min in a 50 cm effective length fused-silica capillary at a separation voltage of +10 kV in a 12 mM disodium tetraborate-phosphate buffer (pH 9.08) containing 5.2 μg mL⁻¹ SiNPs.     

Separation and determination of flavone and xanthone glycosides in Tibetan folk medicinal species Swertia mussotii and S. franchetiana by capillary electrophoresis

The contents of five pharmacologically active flavone and xanthone glycosides, namely, swertianolin, swertisin, isoorientin, mangiferin, and 7-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl]-1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, extracted from Tibetan folk medicinal species Swertia mussotii and S. franchetiana were determined by capillary electrophoresis with diode-array detection. The separation of five components has been optimized with a capillary column with a total length of 48.5 cm and effective length of 40 cm (50 μm i.d). The influence of the running buffer, the sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) concentration, organic modifier, etc. on the resolution was evaluated. The background electrolyte contained 30 mM borate buffer, 28 mM SDS, 1.0% (v/v) acetonitrile, and was adjusted to pH 9.0 with 0.1 M NaOH. A good baseline resolution was obtained for the separation of five components within 5 min with the working voltage of 24 kV and a column temperature of 25°C. The established method was rapid and reproducible for the separation and determination of five flavone and xanthone glycosides from the extracts of S. mussotii and franchetiana plant samples. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Postcolumn derivatization of proteins in capillary sieving electrophoresis/laser‐induced fluorescence detection

The separation methods for proteins with high resolution and sensitivity are absolutely important in the field of biological sciences. Capillary sieving electrophoresis (CSE) is an excellent separation technique for DNA and proteins with high resolution, while LIF permits the most sensitive detection in CSE. Therefore, proteins have to be labeled with fluorescent or fluorogenic reagent to produce fluorescent derivatives. Both precolumn and oncolumn derivatization have been employed for the labeling of proteins in CSE. However, there is no report on the postcolumn derivatization due to the limitation in the use of a standard migration buffer, despite it being a promising method for sensitive detection of proteins. Here, we show a novel postcolumn derivatization method for protein separation by CSE, using a tertiary amine as a buffer component in the running buffer. Tris, which is commonly used as a base in CSE separation buffers, was substituted by tertiary amines, 2‐(diethylamino)ethanol and triethanolamine. A buffer solution containing 2‐(diethylamino)ethanol or triethanolamine can be used for the CSE separation followed by the postcolumn derivatization of proteins, since both reagents are unreactive toward a fluorogenic labeling reagent, naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarbaldehyde. Thus, LIF detection using the postcolumn derivatization permits significant reduction in the LOD (by a factor of 2.4–28) of proteins, compared with conventional absorbance detection.     

Capillary zone electrophoresis studies of motilin peptides. Effects of charge, hydrophobicity, secondary structure and length.

Motilin is a gut hormone, which is involved in gastrointestinal motility. Capillary electrophoresis studies were made on 24 peptides that are N-terminal, C-terminal or internal fragments of motilin. The isoelectric point, total charge and hydrophobicity were calculated for all of the peptides. The effects of buffers and pH on migration time and resolution were studied. These included citrate buffer, pH 2.5; phosphate buffer, pH 7.0 and borate buffer, pH 10.0. A capillary zone electrophoresis method was developed to resolve 14 of the motilin peptides. Secondary structure predictions were made using the Chou-Fasman method. Circular dichroism spectra were collected to confirm presence of alpha-helix in several fragments. Effects of charge, hydrophobicity, secondary structure and length of the motilin fragments on migration time were studied.