Interface for capillary electrophoresis coupled with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Progress and possible applications of miniaturised separation techniques and elemental mass spectrometry for quantitative, heteroatom-tagged proteomics

The application of miniaturised separation techniques such as capillary LC, nano LC or capillary electrophoresis offers a number of advantages in terms of analytical performance, solvent consumption and the ability to analyse very small sample amounts. These features make them attractive for various bioanalytical tasks, in particular those related to the analysis of proteins and peptides. The skillful combination of such techniques with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has recently permitted the design of combined analytical approaches utilising either elemental or molecule-specific detection techniques such as electrospray ionisation (ESI) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI) mass spectrometry in a highly complementary manner for, as an example, proteomics-orientated research (heteroatom-tagged proteomics). Such hybrid approaches are, in particular, providing promising new options for the fast screening of complex samples for specific metal-containing or--more generally speaking--heteroatom-containing biomolecules, as well as the accurate absolute quantification of biomolecules, which is still an unsolved problem in bioanalysis. Here, progress in as well as the potential and the special requirements of hyphenating miniaturised separation techniques with ICP-MS are reviewed and critically discussed. In addition, selected applications are highlighted to indicate current and possible future trends within this emerging area of research.

Speciation of inorganic selenium using capillary electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry with on-line hydride generation

A novel and simple hydride generator has been developed. The hydride generator has good stability and high gas liquid separation efficiency. The generator serves as an interface of capillary electrophoresis (CE) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). This device eliminates the nebulization step and overcomes the common problem of suction flow resulting from the use of nebulization gas in ICP. Selenium compounds that were separated by CE were converted into the corresponding volatile hydrides, followed by ICP-AES measurement. The effects of the concentration of the hydride generating reagents (HCl and NaBH4), the carrier gas flow rate, and heavy metal interference on Se emission intensity were discussed. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of peak area, based on six determinations of 50 ng mL(-1) standard of Se(IV) and Se(VI), were 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively. The detection limits (3sigma) of peak area were 2.1 ng mL(-1) and 2.3 ng mL(-1) for Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. Speciation analysis of inorganic Se(IV) and Se(IV) species using the HG-CE-ICP-AES system was demonstrated in tap and river water samples.

Cloud point extraction for speciation of chromium in water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A new method based on the cloud point extraction (CPE) separation and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) detection was proposed for the determination of chromium species. When the system temperature is higher than the cloud point extraction temperature (CPT) of selected surfactant p-octyl polyethyleneglycolphenyether (Triton X-100), the complex of Cr(VI) with dibromophenylfluorone (Br-PF) could enter surfactant-rich phase, whereas the Cr(III) remained in aqueous phase. Thus, an in situ separation of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) could be realized. Cr(VI) in surfactant-rich phase was analyzed by ETAAS and Cr(III) was calculated by subtracting of Cr(VI) from the total chromium which was directly determined by ETAAS. The main factors affecting the cloud point extraction, such as pH, concentration of Br-PF and Triton X-100, equilibration temperature and time, were investigated systematically. Under the optimized conditions, the quantitation limit for Cr(VI) as low as 0.01 microg/L was obtained by preconcentrating a 10 mL sample solution, and the relative standard deviation (n=6, c=2.0 microg/L) was 2.6%. The proposed method was applied to the speciation of chromium in different water samples and the recoveries in the range of 98.9-105.3% were obtained by spiking the real samples. In order to verify the accuracy of the method, a certified reference water sample was analyzed and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values.

Elemental speciation analysis in capillary electrophoresis

The growing awareness of the strong development of the toxicity of heavy metals upon their chemical forms has led to an increasing interest in the qualitative and quantitative determination of specific metal species. Speciation has therefore become an important topic of present-day analytical research. The development in the elemental speciation analysis by capillary electrophoresis (CE) is reviewed. Various CE separation modes and detection techniques applied are discussed. A comprehensive description of reported methods to date in CE speciation analysis including metals, metalloids and nonmetallic elements is demonstrated. Some examples are presented to demonstrate CE's ability to solve real-world speciation analysis with emphasis on the applications in biological and environmental samples. Further, some issues concerning the limitations and the future of CE with regard to speciation studies are also discussed.

Capillary electrophoresis speciation of chromium in leather tanning liquor

We present a method for the speciation of chromium by capillary electrophoresis. Cr(III) was complexed with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) to form a negatively charged complex. Using 20 mM phosphate buffer of pH 8 containing 0.5 mM tetradecyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (TTAOH) at a separation voltage of -15 kV, both forms of chromium CrDTPA(2-) and CrO(4) (2-) were separated in less than 6 min. Direct UV detection at 214 nm was used. The effect of the presence of interfering ions was investigated. The application of the developed method to speciation of chromium in tanning liquor is demonstrated. The obtained results have shown a good correlation with those of flame atomic absorbance spectrometry (FAAS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and UV/VIS spectrophotometry.

Capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry: an attractive complementary technique for elemental speciation analysis

Some basic and practical aspects of interfacing capillary electrophoresis to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) are reviewed in this article with emphasis on the use of this hyphenated technique for elemental speciation analysis. The principles behind the techniques of both CE and ICP-MS are introduced. The interfacing of CE to ICP-MS is discussed including several devices and nebulizers reported in literature. A brief account of their advantages and limitations is given. The various CE-ICP-MS applications for elemental speciation analysis are also reviewed. Some issues concerning the future of CE-ICP-MS for the elemental speciation analyses are discussed.

Recent advances in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography of pollutants

An overview of major developments in capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography systems in the environmental field is presented, covering relevant publications between the second half of 1999 and early 2001. Contributions are reviewed in relation to developments in detection, sample preparation/preconcentration, precision and applications. Many interesting examples are shown and the influence of important parameters on the performance of developed methods is discussed.

Metal speciation using capillary electrophoresis--inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and polytetrafluoroethylene capillaries

A capillary electrophoresis--inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectrometry (CE-ICP-AES) system using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary has been developed. The CE-ICP interface was a modified concentric nebulizer. The PTFE capillary (50 microm internal diameter) was used as the central capillary of the nebulizer. Using the PTFE capillaries, the solution flow rate induced by the carrier gas flow was smaller than that of glass capillary. Solution flow was mainly induced by the CE electric field. Baseline separation of Ba2+/Mg2+ ion pair using simple buffer solution of 0.014 M sodium acetate was reported. Separation and correlation of metal species in metallothioneins (MT-1 and MT-2 in MT) of rabbit liver using the CE-ICP system were also discussed.

Recent progress in capillary electrophoresis of metal ions

Advances in the fundamental studies and methodology of capillary electrophoresis (CE) as applied to metal ion analysis over the last two years are reviewed, with the objective of providing the interested reader with a state-of-the-art picture of technique's potentialities in the area. In particular, novel strategies for separation selectivity control and CE system innovations designed to enhance the detection sensitivity are described. In addition, a brief overview of the primary metal analytes and samples for which the technique appears to be best suited is given. The current limitations of the technique regarding most of all the implementation for routine use are considered along with the approaches on how they could be addressed. Finally, some pointers as to the likely trends in the future research are discussed.

Simple interface for capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A simple interface has been developed to couple capillary electrophoresis (CE) to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for metal speciation. A concentric glass nebulizer with elongated tip is used as the CE-ICP interface. The CE capillary is the central tube of the nebulizer. A platinum wire is wrapped across the exit end of the CE capillary to provide electrical connection to the CE power supply. No sheath flow of buffer solution is needed. A simple cooling system has also been developed. A peristaltic pump circulates water through a plastic tube that encloses the section of the CE capillary between the CE instrument and the ICP spectrometer. Characteristics of the CE-ICP interface, e.g., elution time, nebulization and transport efficiency and peak broadening, versus carrier gas flow-rate have been studied. Comparisons to a previous design with the Pt electrode inserted into the end of the CE capillary are made where appropriate. The reproducibility (RSD) in ICP emission intensity of the system is <4%. Detection limits of Cr and Cu are approximately 5 ng/ml.

Head column field-amplified stacking from the flow: stabilization of the sample plug position by using backpressure

Head column-field amplified sample stacking (HC-FASS) is one of the most powerful concentration techniques in capillary electrophoresis. In the present work we demonstrate that a laboratory-designed pneumatic sampler not only enables us to easily perform HC-FASS from stagnant sample solutions but also permits us to carry out HC-FASS from sample stream, which creates an opportunity to lower the detection limit of analytes further. The influence of stacking time in case of the flowing sample on peak efficiencies and resolution is discussed. It is demonstrated that the sample plug length can be kept constant by monitoring the current in the capillary, which controls a feedback system based on backpressure at the capillary outlet.