Capillary electrophoretic analysis of anions in a multi-anion background electrolyte: Interference of system peaks

Summary This study deals with the simultaneous analysis of UV-transparent anions by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV-detection. With a background electrolyte (BGE) based on UV-absorbing chromate and UV-transparent borate, the interference of system peaks with those of sample anions (chloride, sulfate, citrate, phosphate) is shown. The existence of such system peaks, and their position in relation to the peaks of the sample anions, are explained on the basis of the eigenpeak theory proposed by Poppe 1]. With this BGE the system peaks were manifested as a negative peak followed by a positive peak. Their shapes depended on the relative mobilities of the analyte and BGE anions and their areas depended on the amount of sample. The mobility of the system peak depends on the borate/boric acid mobility, which was adjusted by slight variation of the pH close to its pK _a-pH is the key factor governing system-peak mobility. When the locations of the system peaks are optimized, the quantification of citrate can be achieved; this was successfully used for determination of anions in milk.