High speed electrophoresis simulation for optimization of continuous flow electrophoresis and high performance capillary techniques: Part I. Computer model

Optimization of preparative electrophoretic chiral separation of ritalin enantiomers

Continuous free flow electrophoresis (CFFE) was applied to the preparative chiral separation of ritalin enantiomers. Sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (sbeta-CD) was used as the chiral additive. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) experiments were applied to study the time averaged concentration of sbeta-CD in the separation chamber. The distribution of sbeta-CD in the separation chamber greatly influenced resolution and the angle of deflection. To optimize the separation, several parameters (methanol, concentration of sbeta-CD in the cathodic wash and in the separation buffer, and the introduction of a low conductivity zone) were investigated. The dependence of the resolution and deflection angles of ritalin enantiomers on the concentration of sbeta-CD in both the separation buffer and in the cathode wash solution appeared to be non-linear. Under close to optimal conditions, resolution of ritalin enantiomers was about 0.8 with an average processing rate of 0.5 mg/h. Overall, the enantiomeric purity of the individual isomers was approximately 83%; however, of the 20 vials containing ritalin, the presence of both enantiomers was only detected in three vials.

Use of dyes to investigate migration of the chiral selector in CFFE and the impact on the chiral separations

Continuous free flow electrophoresis was investigated as a tool for the preparative chiral separation of piperoxan enantiomers using sulfated beta-cyclodextrin (sbeta-CD) as the chiral additive. Bulk migration of sbeta-CD was confirmed using LC-MS analysis of the individual fractions collected and visualized with the addition of crystal violet to the separation buffer. In the absence of sbeta-CD, the crystal violet-containing buffer was reddish/purple and the crystal violet was deflected cathodically in the chamber. In the presence of sbeta-CD, the crystal violet-containing buffer was blue and was deflected anodically. However, formation of accumulation and depletion zones was apparent in both cases. The addition of sbeta-CD to the cathodic wash solution allowed for almost complete resolution of the piperoxan enantiomers with a processing rate of 0.45 mg/ h.

Continuous free-flow electrophoresis

This review evaluates the literature on continuous free flow electrophoresis, published during the last four years. Its aim is to serve not only experts in the field but also newcomers, and, therefore, it also briefly describes the principles of the method and the techniques used, referring to fundamental papers published earlier. The actual commercial instrumentation is briefly outlined. A substantial part of this review is devoted to the optimization of the performance of this method. Finally, diverse applications of fractionations of charged species in solution, ranging from small ions to biological particles and cells, are surveyed.

Behavior of peptides in capillary electrophoresis: effect of peptide charge, mass and structure

In the last decade the large potential of capillary electrophoresis as a technique for separation and characterization of peptides has been demonstrated extensively. In this field, a large number of chemical structures has to be taken into consideration, for which very often no data or even standards are available. As a result, there has been a strong desire to relate electrophoretic behavior to molecular properties and structure of the compounds. The activities in that direction, in the area of capillary zone electrophoresis, are critically reviewed. Special attention is paid to peptide charge, mass, hydrophobicity and structure, and their influence on the selectivity of the separation. Also, some complexation phenomena are discussed.

Effect of pH and ionic strength of running buffer on peptide behavior in capillary electrophoresis: theoretical calculation and experimental evaluation

The effect of pH and ionic strength of running buffer on peptide behavior in capillary electrophoresis (CE) is studied. A system for predictions of peptide migration in CE (SPPMCE) developed in our laboratory has been tested in a wide range of pH and buffer concentrations. The SPPMCE consists of a computer program for calculating peptide pKa values, an equation which relates peptide structures to their electrophoretic mobilities and a coupled computer program for the prediction of electropherograms. More than 25 different buffers have been employed, covering a pH range of 2-11 and a concentration range of 5-100 mM. Results from experiments are compared with the theoretical predictions. Good agreement is observed, which confirms the utility of the SPPMCE and allows fast and easy optimization of peptide separations in CE, with nothing more than the amino acid sequence of the linear peptide as the input.

Influence of the electrode compartment separating membranes on continuous flow electrophoresis

The influence of the ion permeable diaphragms, separating the electrode compartments of continuous flow electrophoresis chambers from the separation space, are described in detail. A set of equations is derived from a simplified phenomenological model of the ion transport across media boundaries. These equations are useful to predict the magnitude of concentration changes near the membranes due to the electrophoretic ion transport. Adaption to any CFE geometry, membrane material and electrolyte system is possible with only a few measurements, which yield the transference number difference as a characteristic transport property of the membrane material for a special electrolyte. The validity of the equations is checked by experiments. Local electric field strength and local conductivity are measured with a potential gradient-conductivity scanner developed in our laboratory. This device yields data on the dynamics of the concentration changes.