Nonconventional Samplers in Capillary Electrophoresis

Abstract

Developments in nonconventional sample introduction in capillary electrophoresis have focused on the possibility of forcing the sample stream to pass the separation capillary inlet. The advantages of such input devices are the absence of a voltage rise/drop time during sampling, ease of operation because no vial manipulations are involved, and ease of automation and computerization. However, besides these the main advantage of such input devices seems to be the fact that they facilitate easy, multiple input from a single sample vial. This opens the possibility of monitoring the concentration changes taking part in inside the vessel — an important task for — analytical biotechnology. This article describes some possible designs of CE nonconventional samplers and discusses applications of such samplers in sample preparation, in coupling CE with flow injection analysis (FIA) and HPLC, in multiple input experiments (with or without stacking) for reduction of detection limits and for monitoring of reaction kinetics.

Keywords:

• capillary electrophoresis
• nonconventional interfaces
• preconcentration
• cleanup
• monitoring