Amplification of small analytes in polymer solution by capillary electrophoresis

3-(4-Carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde labeling for direct analysis of amino acids in plasma is not suitable for simultaneous quantification of tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, and isoleucine by CE/fluorescence

Capillary electrophoresis coupled to LED-induced fluorescence detection is a robust and sensitive technique used for amino acids (AA) analysis in biological media, after labeling with 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA). We wanted to quantitate in plasma tryptophan (Trp), tyrosine (Tyr), valine (Val), and isoleucine (Ile). Among the different labeled AA-CBQCA, Trp has the lowest fluorescence yield, which makes its detection and quantification very difficult in biological samples such as plasma. We tried to improve Trp analysis by CE/LED-induced fluorescence detection to its maximal sensitivity by using large volume sample stacking as a preconcentration step in our analytical protocol. At pH 9.5, this step caused a drop in resolution during the separation of the four AAs and it was therefore necessary to work at pH 10. We have found that Tyr, Val, Ile, and Trp are detected and well separated from the other AAs, but Trp cannot be quantified in plasma samples, mainly because of the low fluorescence yield of the Trp-CBQCA derivative. The recorded LOD is 0.18 μM for Trp-CBQCA in standard solution with a resolution between Trp and Tyr of 1.2, while the LOD is 6 μM in plasma with the same resolution. Trp, Tyr, Val, and Ile are, however, efficiently quantified when using a 3 M acetic acid electrolyte and CE associated with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, which also has the advantage of not requiring derivatization or large volume sample stacking. This article demonstrates, for the CE user, that quantitative analysis of these four AA in mouse plasma can be performed by CE-fluorescence after CBQCA labeling, with the exception of Trp. It can be advantageously replaced by CE/capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection, the only efficient one for Trp, Tyr, Val, and Ile quantification. In this case, the LOD for Trp is 2 μM. The four AAs are separated with resolution with neighbors above 1.5.

Capillary electrophoresis of small ions and molecules in less conventional human body fluid samples: A review

In recent years, advances in sensitive analytical techniques have encouraged the analysis of various compounds in biological fluids. While blood serum, blood plasma and urine still remain the golden standards in clinical, toxicological and forensic science, analyses of other body fluids, such as breast milk, exhaled breath condensate, sweat, saliva, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, or capillary blood in form of dried blood spots are becoming more popular. This review article focuses on capillary electrophoresis and microchip electrophoresis of small ions and molecules (e.g. inorganic cations/anions, basic/acidic drugs, small acids/bases, amino acids, peptides and other low molecular weight analytes) in various less conventional human body fluids and hopes to stimulate further interest in the field.

Determination of metabolic organic acids in cerebrospinal fluid by microchip electrophoresis

A new MCE method for the determination of oxalic, citric, glycolic, lactic, and 2- and 3-hydroxybutyric acids, indicators of some metabolic and neurological diseases, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was developed. MCE separations were performed on a PMMA microchip with coupled channels at lower pH (5.5) to prevent proteins interference. A double charged counter-ion, BIS-TRIS propane, was very effective in resolving the studied organic acids. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) ranging from 0.1 to 1.6 μM were obtained with the aid of contact conductivity detector implemented directly on the microchip. RSDs for migration time and peak area of organic acids in artificial and CSF samples were <0.8 and <9.7%, respectively. Recoveries of organic acids in untreated CSF samples on the microchip varied from 91 to 104%. Elimination of chloride interference, a major anionic constituent of CSF, has been reached by two approaches: (i) the use of coupled channels microchip in a column switching mode when approximately 97-99% of chloride was removed electrophoretically in the first separation channel and (ii) the implementation of micro-SPE with silver-form resin prior to the MCE analysis, which selectively removed chloride from undeproteinized CSF samples.

Bioanalytical applications of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection

In this article we describe recent developments and applications of capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with laser-induced native fluorescence (LINF) detection in the analysis of biological, pharmaceutical and environmental samples. Compared with traditional UV absorbance detection used in CE, the LINF technique can greatly improve the concentration sensitivity of CE without the need for derivatization; the only requirement being that the analyte must have native fluorescence. Instrumentation and laser sources used in CE–LINF are summarized and specific applications of CE–LINF to small-biomolecule analysis, profiling of human biofluids, detection of native fluorescent peptides and proteins, single-cell analysis and the use of online sample preconcentration methods are also reviewed in detail.

Sample preparation

A panorama of sample preparation methods has been composed from 481 references, with a highlight of some promising methods fast developed during recent years and a somewhat brief introduction on most of the well-developed methods. All the samples were commonly referred to molecular composition, being extendable to particles including cells but not to organs, tissues and larger bodies. Some criteria to evaluate or validate a sample preparation method were proposed for reference. Strategy for integration of several methods to prepare complicated protein samples for proteomic studies was illustrated and discussed.

Capillary electrophoresis and microchip capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence detection

Recent advances and key strategies in capillary electrophoresis and microchip CE with electrochemical detection (ECD) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection are reviewed. This article consists of four main parts: CE-ECD; microchip CE-ECD; CE-ECL; and microchip CE-ECL. It is expected that ECD and ECL will become powerful tools for CE microchip systems and will lead to the creation of truly disposable devices. The focus is on papers published in the last two years (from 2005 to 2006).

CE with sequential light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence and electro-chemiluminescence detections for the determination of amino acids and alkaloids

This paper describes the determination of alkaloids and amino acids (AAs) using CE in conjunction with sequential light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence (LEDIF) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detections. In the CE-LEDIF-ECL system, the ECL detector was located in the outlet of the capillary, while the LEDIF detector was positioned 12 cm from the outlet. Naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) was used to form fluorescent AA-NDA derivatives from AAs possessing primary amino groups, while Ru(bpy)(3) (2+) was used to obtain ECL signals for analytes having secondary and tertiary amino groups. In the presence of poly(ethylene oxide), we accomplished the CE-LEDIF-ECL separation of a mixture of 12 AA-NDA derivatives, anabasine, nicotine, and proline within 11 min. This low-cost CE-LEDIF-ECL system allows the analysis of these AA-NDA derivatives and alkaloids at concentrations in the ranges of 49 nM-0.2 microM and 0.66-4.7 microM, respectively. We applied our CE-LEDIF-ECL system to the analysis of a urine sample and also to tobacco extracts. We obtained good qualitative and quantitative results when using this method with these analytes: the RSDs were below 3.0 and 2.8%, respectively. This CE-LEDIF-ECL system provides the advantages of high efficiency, speed, and sensitivity for the analysis of analytes possessing amino groups.

Stacking and separation of fluorescent derivatives of amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in the presence of poly(ethylene oxide)

A new approach for the analysis of large-volume naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) derivatives of amino acids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) in conjunction with a purple light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection is described. In order to optimize resolution, speed, and stacking efficiency, a discontinuous condition is essential for the analysis of NDA-amino acid derivatives. The optimum conditions use 2.0M TB (pH 10.0) buffer containing 40mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to fill the capillary, deionized water to dilute samples, and 200mM TB (pH 9.0) containing 10mM SDS to prepare 0.6% poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Once high voltage is applied, PEO solution enters the capillary via electroosmotic flow and SDS micelles interact and thus sweep the NDA-amino acid derivatives having smaller electrophoretic mobilities than that of SDS micelles in the sample zone. When the aggregates between SDS micelles and NDA amino acid derivatives enter PEO zone, they are stacked due to decrease in electric field and increases in viscosity. Under the optimum conditions, the concentration and separation of 0.53-microL 13 NDA-amino acid derivatives that are negatively charged has been demonstrated by using a 60-cm capillary, with the efficiencies 0.3-9.0x10(5) theoretical plates and the LODs at signal-to-noise ratio 3 ranging from 0.30 to 2.76nM. When compared to standard injection (30-cm height for 10s), the approach allows the sensitivity enhancements over the range of 50-800 folds for the derivatives. The new approach has been applied to the analysis of a red wine sample, with great linearity of fluorescent intensity against concentrations (R(2)>0.98) and the RSD (three repetitive runs in one day) values of the migration times for the ten identified amino acids less than 2.8%.

Analysis of biologically active amines by CE

This paper provides an overview on the current status of the analysis of biogenic amines by CE. The basic CE separation and detection strategies for the analysis of biogenic amines are briefly described. CZE and MEKC that provide highly efficient and reproducible analysis of biogenic amines are particularly surveyed. With respect to the detection of biogenic amines, we focus on LIF, UV-visible absorption, electrochemiluminescence, and MS. Derivatization strategies, indirect methods, and on-line concentration techniques such as field-amplified sample stacking, sweeping, and use of polymer solution are described. To show the practicality of CE, we highlight currently developed techniques for the determinations of biogenic amines in biological samples, including foods, beverages, cerebrospinal fluids, urine, and single cells.

Recent advances in methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites

Catecholamines, for example epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are widely distributed and are important neurotransmitters and hormones in mammalian species. Several methods have been developed for analysis of catecholamines and related compounds. Determination of catecholamines in biological fluids has enabled us to clarify the physiological role played by these amines. Catecholamine levels in plasma and/or urine are also useful for diagnosis of several diseases, for example hypertension, pheochromocytoma, and neuroblastoma. This review covers reports from 2000 to the present of methods for the analysis of catecholamines and their metabolites.

Stacking, derivatization, and separation by capillary electrophoresis of amino acids from cerebrospinal fluids

This paper describes the in-column derivatization, stacking, and separation of amino acids by CE in conjunction with light-emitting diode-induced fluorescence using naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA). According to the relative electrophoretic mobilities and the migration direction in tetraborate solution (pH 9.3), the injection order is cyanide, then amino acids, then NDA. Once poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) migrates through the capillary under EOF, the amino acid.NDA derivatives, amino acids, and CN- ions migrating against the EOF enter the PEO zone. As a result of increases in viscosity and possible interactions with PEO molecules, the reagents/analytes slow down such that they become stacked at the boundary. In comparison with the off-column approach to the analysis of amino acids, our proposed method provides a lower degree of interference from polymeric NDA compounds and other side products. As a result, the plot of the peak height as a function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration is linear over the range from 10(-5) to 10(-8) M, with the LOD being 4 nM. We demonstrate the diagnostic potential of this approach for the determination of amino acids, including GABA and glutamine, in biological samples through the analysis of large volumes of cerebral spinal fluids without the need for sample pretreatment.

Impact of halides on the simultaneous separation of aromatic amines and their acidic metabolites by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection under acidic conditions

This paper describes a simple, sensitive, efficient, and rapid method for simultaneous analysis of biologically active amines and acids by capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with laser-induced native fluorescence detection (CE-LINF) using a diode pumped solid state nanolaser at 266 nm. In order to optimize resolution of the amines that were prepared in 10.0 mM formate-Tris (FT) solutions, 10.0 mM FT solutions with and without containing halides were used to fill the capillary and reservoirs, respectively. The electrophoretic mobilities of tryptamine (TA) and serotonin (5-HT) at pH 4.0 decrease with the increase in halide concentration (0-10.0 mM). Taken together with a great effect of iodide than other halides, we suggest that the formation of ion pairs is a main contributor for altering the migration of the amines. In order to simultaneously analyze the amines and their metabolites (acids) at low pH, a high bulk EOF is required. The analysis of 10 anlytes including amines and acids was completed within 12 min by CE-LINF using a capillary treated with 0.5M NaOH and then filled with 10.0 mM FT solutions (pH 4.0) containing 10.0 mM KCl prior to analysis. The limits of detection for TA and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) are 0.12 and 6.0 nM, respectively. The present method has been further validated by analyzing urine samples, with an RSD less than 3.1% (migration times) and 3.9% (concentration).

Silica nanoparticles for separation of biologically active amines by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection

This paper describes the analysis of biologically active amines by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in conjunction with laser-induced native fluorescence detection. In order to simultaneously analyze amines and acids as well as to achieve high sensitivity, 10 mM formic acid solutions (pH < 4.0) containing silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were chosen as the background electrolytes. With increasing SiNP concentration, the migration times for seven analytes decrease as a result of increase in electroosmotic flow (EOF) and decrease in their electrophoretic mobilities against EOF. A small EOF generated at pH 3.0 reveals adsorption of SiNPs on the deactivated capillary wall. The decreases in electrophoretic mobilities with increasing SiNP concentration up to 0.3x indicate the interactions between the analytes and the SiNPs. Having a great sensitivity (the limits of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) = 3 of 0.09 nM for tryptamine (TA)), high efficiency, and excellent reproducibility (less than 2.4% of the migration times), this developed method has been applied to the analysis of urinal samples with the concentrations of 0.50 +/- 0.02 microM, 0.49 +/- 0.04 microM, and 74 +/- 2 microM for TA, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and tryptophan, respectively. The successful examples demonstrated in this study open up a possibility of using functional nanoparticles for the separation of different analytes by CE.

Determination of tertiary amines based on pH junctions and field amplification in capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection

A stacking approach based on pH junction and field amplification has been developed for determining amines by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection. A two-electrode configuration was employed with an indium/tin oxide-coated glass as a working electrode and a platinum wire as a pseudoreference electrode. The ECL system also contains a flow cell (poly(dimethylsiloxane)-aluminum oxide) that was made from a mixture of Sylgard 184 silicone elastomer, a curing agent, and aluminum oxide. In order to improve the sensitivity of the present CE-ECL system using tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)(3) (2+)), a stacking approach based on pH junctions and field amplification has been tested for the analysis of triethylamine (TEA), tripropylamine (TPA), and tributylamine (TBA). Once amines (cations) prepared in citric acid solution (pH < 4.0) migrate towards the background electrolyte (15 mM sodium borate at pH 8.0), they slow down and are stacked at the boundary as a result of deprotonation and decreases in the electric field. By applying hydrodynamic injection of the sample for 60 s, this method provides the concentration limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of 24, 20, and 32 nM for TEA, TPA, and TBA, respectively. The results indicate that the stacking CE-ECL system is better than CE-ECL systems using a two-electrode configuration and comparable to those using a three-electrode configuration. The potential applicability of the new and low-cost CE-ECL system has been demonstrated by the determination of 1.0 microM lidocaine, a local anesthetic drug, in urine without any tedious sample preparation.

Discontinuous electrolyte systems for improved detection of biologically active amines and acids by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection

On-line concentration and separation of biologically active amines and acids by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in conjunction with laser-induced fluorescence using an Nd:YAG laser at 266 nm under discontinuous conditions is presented. The suitable conditions for simultaneous analysis of amines and acids were: samples were prepared in a solution (pH* 3.1) consisting of 10 mM citric acid, 89% acetonitrile (ACN), and water; a capillary was filled with 1.5 M Tris-borate (TB) buffer (pH 10.0); and the anodic vial contained PTG10 buffer (pH* 9.0) that consists of 50 mM propanoic acid, Tris, 10% glycerol, and water. After injecting a large-volume sample, amines and acids were separately stacked at the front (cathodic side) and back (anodic side) of the acidic sample zone, mainly because of changes in their electrophoretic mobilities as a result of changes in pH, viscosity, and electric field when high voltage was applied. When the sample was injected at 15 kV for 360 s, the concentration limits of detection (LODs) for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were 0.27 and 0.31 nM, respectively, which are about 400- and 800-fold sensitivity improvements when compared to those injected at 1 kV for 10 s. For the analysis of amines, samples were prepared in 100 mM citric acid (pH* 1.8) containing 89% ACN and both the capillary and anodic vial were filled with 400 mM PTG20 (propanoic acid, Tris, 20% glycerol, and water) at pH* 4.5. Using a large injection volume (15 kV for 360 s), we achieved concentration LODs of 17 pM and 0.3 nM for tryptamine and epinephrine, which are about 5200- and 14,000-fold sensitivity improvements, respectively, in comparison with those injected at 1 kV for 10 s. The features of simplicity (no sample pretreatment), rapidity (12 min), and sensitivity for identification of amines and acids of interest in urine samples show diagnostic potential of the two approaches developed in this study.

Importance of the counterion in optimization of a borate electrolyte system for analyses of anions in samples with complex matrices performed by capillary zone electrophoresis

Borate buffers are common background electrolytes for analyses of anions in capillary zone electrophoresis. Usually, sodium borate at a given pH is used and this specification seems to be sufficient for a successful analysis. In this paper, we show that free migration of OH(-) may deteriorate the analysis of a typical anionic analysis of clinical samples due to uncontrolled migration of OH(-) throughout the systems of analyzed zones and may damage the stacking of anionic analytes of interest. We have proven that the use of ammonium borate may remedy the situation where the presence of ammonium may selectively stop the free migration of OH(-) ions, slow down their effective mobility and bring their safe behavior resulting in reproducible stacking of clinically important anions. Results of real analyses of human serum samples confirmed the proposed method and proved that substitution of sodium for ammonium in borate buffers offers reliable analyses of clinical samples having chloride as the bulk component. The experimental results given in this paper are supported also by computer simulation, which can not only support the positive results but also show the dynamics of the separation that is otherwise hidden to any detection possibilities.

Light-emitting diode-based indirect fluorescence detection for simultaneous determination of anions and cations in capillary electrophoresis

This report presents simultaneous analysis of cations and anions by capillary electrophoresis (CE) in conjunction with indirect fluorescence detection using a blue light-emitting diode (LED), based on the displacement of fluorescein with anionic EDTA-metal complexes and anions. A new focusing system combined with a plastic lens and a 40x objective was developed and used effectively to focus the diverging beam of the LED on the capillary. The optimum compositions for simultaneous analysis of metal ions and anions are the samples prepared in 5 mM borate, pH 9.2, containing 2 mM EDTA and the background electrolytes (BGEs) consisting of 5 mM borate buffer, 5 microM fluorescein, and 1 microM NaCl at pH 9.2. Using this pre-capillary complexation method, the analysis of a sample containing five metal ions and eight anions was accomplished in 8 min, with the relative standard deviation values for the migration times less than 2.0%. The peak heights against the concentrations of the metal ions and anions are linear in 10-1000 and 50-2000 microM, with correlation coefficients better than 0.998, and 0.982, respectively. The limits of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio 3 of up to 14.6 microM for formate and as low as 3.7 microM for Ni2+. The results of the analyses of pond water and a Chinese herbal soup present the advantages of this method, including simplicity, rapidity, reproducibility, and low costs.