Spurious serotonin dimer formation using electrokinetic injection in capillary electrophoresis from small volume biological samples

Analyst. 2005 Feb;130(2):147-51. doi: 10.1039/b413024c. Epub 2004 Dec 7.

Abstract

One normally assumes that the analytical measurement process does not introduce spurious compounds. Capillary electrophoresis is a separation method frequently used for small-volume biological measurements. We demonstrate the potential for creating new peaks in a capillary electropherogram when using electrokinetic injections and illustrate the potential deleterious effects with biological samples involving serotonin and nitric oxide measurements. Specifically, when measuring the serotonin content from individual neurons using electrokinetic injections from 360 nL stainless steel vials, we detect a new peak that we identify as a serotonin dimer. We do not observe this peak when using hydrodynamic injections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dimerization
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Injections
  • Neurons / chemistry*
  • Nitric Oxide / analysis
  • Serotonin / analysis*

Substances

  • Nitric Oxide
  • Serotonin