Head-column field-amplified sample stacking in a capillary electrophoresis-flow injection system

Electrophoresis. 2005 Nov;26(22):4345-54. doi: 10.1002/elps.200500013.

Abstract

A simple, effective, and continuous online concentration method for the sensitive detection of alkaloids applying CE-flow injection analysis with head-column field-amplified sample stacking was developed. A series of samples was continuously introduced into the capillary by electrokinetic means without interrupting the high voltage. A short water plug was introduced by the EOF at the capillary inlet end prior to sample introduction. Under optimum conditions, 15-fold improvement in concentration sensitivity was achieved, giving an LOD of about 0.67 and 0.73 microg/mL for ephedrine (E) and pseudoephedrine (PE), respectively. The separation could be achieved within 4 min and sample throughput rate could reach up to 7/h. The repeatability (defined as RSD) was 3.62, 1.51% with peak area evaluation and 1.30, 2.58% with peak height evaluation for E and PE, respectively. This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of commercial pharmaceutical preparations containing E and PE, and the recoveries were 92.3-102.4%.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Borates
  • Buffers
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / instrumentation*
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Ephedrine / isolation & purification
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

Substances

  • Borates
  • Buffers
  • Ephedrine