An innovative detection technique for capillary electrophoresis: Localized terahertz emission-time domain spectroscopy

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) is a recently emerging analysis method which can provide unique information on molecular vibration and rotation induced by inter/intra-molecular interactions. Although the application of THz-TDS to high-performance microscale separation methods like capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been anticipated, it has been hindered due to the diffraction limit of THz wave (typically, hundreds µm). In order to realize CE-THz-TDS, in this study, we placed a narrow open-tubular capillary on the surface of a GaAs semiconductor substrate as a "localized" THz-emitter. By focusing femtosecond pulsed laser beams at the surface of a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate closest to the capillary, THz waves were locally generated to pass through the capillary, so that THz absorbance spectra were obtained from the capillary which has narrower inner diameter than the diffraction limit. As a typical result from acetic acid analysis in the CE-THz-TDS platform, information on the refractive index and extinction coefficient was obtained, which showed non-linear and linear concentration dependence, respectively, similar to conventional THz-TDS using large liquid cells. Finally, CE-THz-TDS analysis of several carboxylic acids was demonstrated. Two acids were successfully separated and detected with THz-TDS, where their electrophoretic mobility values were estimated as close to those obtained with conventional contactless conductivity detection. Our proposed CE-THz-TDS showed the potential for the systematic analysis of inter/intra-molecular weak interactions like hydrogen bonds, which are unable to obtain with conventional detectors.

Determination of up to twenty carboxylic acid containing compounds in clinically relevant matrices by o-benzylhydroxylamine derivatization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Carboxylic acid containing compounds (R-COOH) are involved in a large number of biological processes and they are relevant for several pathological processes such as neurodegeneration or cancer. Comprehensive methodologies for the quantitative determination of R-COOH in biological samples are required. In this study we have developed a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of 20 endogenous R-COOH belonging to different pathways such as kynurenine metabolism, serotoninergic pathway, glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, dopaminergic pathway, short chain fatty acids and glycine metabolism. The approach included derivatization with o-benzylhydroxylamine (reaction time 1 h), liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and LC-MS/MS detection (run time 10 min). The method was optimized and validated in 5 different matrices (urine, plasma, saliva, brain and liver) following two different approaches: (i) using surrogate matrices and (ii) using actual human samples by standard additions. A suitable linearity was obtained in the endogenous range of the analytes. Adequate intra and inter-assay accuracies (80-120%) and intra- and inter-assay precisions (<20%) were achieved for almost all analytes in all studied matrices. The method was applied in several scenarios to confirm (i) human urinary changes produced in glycolysis after exercise, (ii) metabolic changes produced in rat brain and plasma by methamphetamine administration and (iii) metabolic alterations in human plasma caused by vitamin B6 deficiency. Additionally, the application of the method allowed for establishing previously unreported alterations in R-COOH metabolites under these conditions. Due to the comprehensive analyte and matrix coverage and the wide applicability of the developed methodology, it can be considered as a suitable tool for the study of R-COOH status in health and disease by targeted metabolomics.

Combining First and Second-Tier Newborn Screening in a Single Assay Using High-Throughput Chip-Based Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

BACKGROUND

Most first-tier newborn screening (NBS) biomarkers are evaluated by a 2-min flow injection analysis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) assay. The absence of separation prior to MS/MS analysis can lead to false positives and inconclusive results due to interferences by nominal isobars and isomers. Therefore, many presumptive positive specimens require confirmation by a higher specificity second-tier assay employing separations, which require additional time and resources prior to patient follow-up.

METHODS

A 3.2-mm punch was taken from dried blood spot (DBS) specimens and extracted using a solution containing isotopically labeled internal standards for quantification. Analyses were carried out in positive mode using a commercially available microfluidic capillary electrophoresis (CE) system coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS).

RESULTS

The CE-HRMS platform quantified 35 first- and second-tier biomarkers from a single injection in <2-min acquisition time, thus, successfully multiplexing first- and second-tier NBS for over 20 disorders in a single DBS punch. The CE-HRMS platform resolved problematic isobars and isomers that affect first-tier FIA-MS/MS assay specificity, while achieving similar quantitative results and assay linearity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our CE-HRMS assay is capable of multiplexing first- and second-tier NBS biomarkers into a single assay with an acquisition time of <2 min. Such an assay would reduce the volume of false positives and inconclusive specimens flagged for second-tier screening.

Analysis of urinary organic acids by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for metabolic profiling applications

A sensitive, accurate and precise method was developed for the quantification of a large number of organic acids in human urine by GC-MS/MS. The analytes were selected based on their role as key metabolic intermediates; intermediates of Krebs cycle, fatty acid oxidation, glycolysis, down-stream metabolites of neurotransmitter synthesis and degradation, metabolites indicative of nutritional deficiencies, byproducts of microbial activity in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) etc. The most efficient sample preparation protocol was selected based on tests for extraction with different solvents such as MTBE and ethyl acetate under acidic conditions, whereas finally a more general protocol was applied with methanol. Regarding derivatization, methoxyamine with MSTFA, 1% TMCS was applied. The method was extensively validated, including stability study, ensuring accurate determination of the studied organic acids in human urine. Proof of its utility was exhibited in a set of samples from human volunteers. The method can find wide applicability in the context of metabolomics for clinical or nutritional studies.

Improving liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of polycarboxylic acids in human urine by chemical derivatization. Comparison of o-benzyl hydroxylamine and 2-picolyl amine

Due to its high sensitivity and specificity, liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) could be considered as the gold-standard in targeted metabolomics. Although LC-MS/MS allows for the direct detection of a large number of molecules, the proper quantification of highly polar compounds such as poly-carboxylic acids in complex matrices like urine is still a challenge. Chemical derivatization offers a suitable way to improve chromatographic behavior and sensitivity for these compounds. Several derivatizing agents have been proposed for the LC-MS/MS determination of carboxylic acids but studies dealing with their comparison in challenging scenarios are scarce. Here we present the evaluation of two different derivatization agents; o-benzylhydroxyl amine (oBHA) and 2-picolyl amine (2-PA); for the quantification of the (poly)-carboxylic acids belonging to the tricarboxylic acid cycle in urine. The suitability of both derivatizating agents was compared by validation of the two approaches. Derivatization with oBHA showed important advantages against 2-PA derivatization such as (i) providing better sensitivity, (ii) more stable derivatives and (iii) allowing for the proper validation of a larger number of analytes. Moreover, while 2-PA derivatization failed in the determination of the target analytes in some stored urine samples, oBHA derivatization successfully allowed for their appropriate determination in the same samples. A comparison between the concentrations obtained using oBHA derivatization and those provided by an external laboratory using UV and GC-MS detection revealed a satisfactory agreement between both results. Additionally, the concentrations obtained by the oBHA method for a set of 38 urines are in agreement with those previously reported in the literature. As a conclusion, our results show that the use of oBHA is preferred against 2-PA for the detection and quantification of (poly)-carboxylic acids in urine.

Microbial life in the Lake Medee, the largest deep-sea salt-saturated formation

Deep-sea hypersaline anoxic lakes (DHALs) of the Eastern Mediterranean represent some of the most hostile environments on our planet. We investigated microbial life in the recently discovered Lake Medee, the largest DHAL found to-date. Medee has two unique features: a complex geobiochemical stratification and an absence of chemolithoautotrophic Epsilonproteobacteria, which usually play the primary role in dark bicarbonate assimilation in DHALs interfaces. Presumably because of these features, Medee is less productive and exhibits reduced diversity of autochthonous prokaryotes in its interior. Indeed, the brine community almost exclusively consists of the members of euryarchaeal MSBL1 and bacterial KB1 candidate divisions. Our experiments utilizing cultivation and [¹⁴C]-assimilation, showed that these organisms at least partially rely on reductive cleavage of osmoprotectant glycine betaine and are engaged in trophic cooperation. These findings provide novel insights into how prokaryotic communities can adapt to salt-saturated conditions and sustain active metabolism at the thermodynamic edge of life.

Urinary metabolic phenotyping the slc26a6 (chloride-oxalate exchanger) null mouse model

The prevalence of renal stone disease is increasing, although it remains higher in men than in women when matched for age. While still somewhat controversial, several studies have reported an association between renal stone disease and hypertension, but this may be confounded by a shared link with obesity. However, independent of obesity, hyperoxaluria has been shown to be associated with hypertension in stone-formers, and the most common type of renal stone is composed of calcium oxalate. The chloride-oxalate exchanger slc26a6 (also known as CFEX or PAT-1), located in the renal proximal tubule, was originally thought to have an important role in sodium homeostasis and thereby blood pressure control, but it has recently been shown to have a key function in oxalate balance by mediating oxalate secretion in the gut. We have applied two orthogonal analytical platforms (NMR spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis with UV detection) in parallel to characterize the urinary metabolic signatures related to the loss of the renal chloride-oxalate exchanger in slc26a6 null mice. Clear metabolic differentiation between the urinary profiles of the slc26a6 null and the wild type mice were observed using both methods, with the combination of NMR and CE-UV providing extensive coverage of the urinary metabolome. Key discriminating metabolites included oxalate, m-hydroxyphenylpropionylsulfate (m-HPPS), trimethylamine-N-oxide, glycolate and scyllo-inositol (higher in slc26a6 null mice) and hippurate, taurine, trimethylamine, and citrate (lower in slc26a6 null mice). In addition to the reduced efficiency of anion transport, several of these metabolites (hippurate, m-HPPS, methylamines) reflect alteration in gut microbial cometabolic activities. Gender-related metabotypes were also observed in both wild type and slc26a6 null groups. Urinary metabolites that showed a sex-specific pattern included trimethylamine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, citrate, spermidine, guanidinoacetate, and 2-oxoisocaproate. The gender-dependent metabolic expression of the consequences of slc26a6 deletion might have relevance to the difference in prevalence of renal stone formation in men and women. The different composition of microbial metabolites in the slc26a6 null mice is consistent with the fact that the slc26a6 transporter is found in a range of tissues, including the kidney and intestine, and provides further evidence for the "long reach" of the microbiota in physiological and pathological processes.

The perinatal transition of the circulating metabolome in a nonhuman primate

INTRODUCTION

The fetal-to-neonatal transition is one of the most complex processes in biological existence; much is unknown about this transition on the molecular and biochemical level. Based on growing metabolomics literature, we hypothesize that metabolomic analysis will reveal the key biochemical intermediates that change during the birth transition.

RESULTS

Using two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS), we identified 100 metabolites that changed during this transition. Of these 100 metabolites, 23 demonstrated significant change during the first 72 h. Of note, four intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were identified (α-ketoglutaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, and succinyl-CoA), demonstrating a consistent rate of rise during the study. This may signify the transition of the neonate from a hypoxic in utero environment to an oxygen-rich environment. Important signaling molecules were also identified, including myo-inositol and glutamic acid.

DISCUSSION

GC × GC-TOFMS was able to identify important metabolites associated with metabolism and signaling. These data can be used as a baseline for normal birth transition, which may aid in future perinatal research investigations.

METHODS

Late-preterm Macaca nemestrina were delivered by hysterotomy, with plasma drawn from the cord blood and after birth at eight additional time points to 72 h of age.

Microfluidic chip-capillary electrophoresis with dynamic multi-segment standard addition for rapidly identifying nephrolithiasis markers in urine

A microchip-CE device was fabricated for bed-side monitoring of nephrolithiasis biomarkers in urine by incorporating on-chip continuous passive mixing and standard addition to reduce sample matrix interference, increase sample throughput and eliminate accessories for active mixing. Under optimized conditions with buffer containing 20 mM borate and 0.5 mM CTAB at pH 10.3, sample and standards injected electrokinetically at -350 V for 10 s for online mixing in a Y-merging flow microchannel prior to CE separation and UV detection at 210 nm, both inhibitors (citrate, CA) and promoters (oxalate, OA and uric acid, UA) for nephrolithiasis can be separated and determined in human urine in a single run completed within 10 min after a simple 50-fold sample dilution and filtering. Satisfactory working ranges from 0.13-40, 0.25-40 and 0.025-40 mM, LOD 2.6, 6.1 and 0.7 μM, repeatability (%RSD, n=5) for migration time 1.40, 1.43, 0.47 and peak area 4.46, 6.10, 1.98, respectively, for CA, OA and UA are obtained for urine samples. The use of on-chip standard addition is shown to improve repeatability of the migration time, assist the identification of nephrolithiasis markers from difficult samples with noisy baseline and enlarge the working range for nephrolithiasis marker determination. The device developed can be used for both routine and emergency monitoring to deliver results on demand for bedside monitoring and public health protection. It provides an early detection of nephrolithiasis to enable timely treatments, ease anxiety of parents for neonates consuming suspected contaminated food, and quick results for patients in a critical condition.

Capillary electrophoresis as a metabolomics tool for non-targeted fingerprinting of biological samples

Metabolomics, understood as a data driven strategy trying to find markers of a situation under study without a priori hypothesis, has rapidly caught the attention and evolved from the simple pattern recognition strategy, which was a great innovation at its origins, to the interest for the final identification of markers responsible for class separation, i.e., from data to knowledge. Due to differences in physico-chemical properties and concentrations of the metabolites, but also due to differences in matrix properties, cross-platform approaches are proving to increase the capability of information. Once more techniques do not compete. This is the scene where capillary electrophoresis (CE) has its niche to provide information mainly on polar or ionic compounds in biological fluids. General advantages and disadvantages of CE for sample fingerprinting will be discussed and methods will be classified depending on the detection system (UV or MS) as this strongly affects all the conditions. Recent developments will be presented in different biological fluids, although urine is without a doubt the preferred sample for CE analysis.

Metabolic fingerprinting of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice urine with capillary electrophoresis

Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice has been fingerprinted using CE to study the capabilities of this technique as a diagnostic tool for this parasitic disease. Two modes of separation were used in generating the electrophoretic data, with each untreated urine sample the following methods were applied: (i) a fused-silica capillary, operating with an applied potential of 18 kV, in micellar EKC (MEKC) and (ii) a polyacrylamide-coated capillary, operating with an applied potential of -20 kV under zonal CZE conditions. By combining normal and reverse polarities in the data treatment we have extracted more information from the samples, which is a better approach for CE metabolomics. The traditional problems associated with variability in electrophoretic peak migration times for analytes were countered by using a dynamic programming algorithm for the electropherograms alignment. Principal component analyses of these aligned electropherograms and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) data are shown to provide a valuable means of rapid and sample classification. This approach may become an important tool for the identification of biomarkers, diagnosis and disease surveillance.

Utility of separation science in metabolomic studies

Metabolomics, or alternately metabonomics, an emerging field of biochemical research, is a complementary technique to genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Direct quantitative measurements of metabolite expressions in urine, serum, plasma, and tissue are essential for the study of biological processes in normal and disease states. Since the number of metabolites in a biological sample is large separation science plays an important role in metabolomic research. This review describes the role of GC, HPLC, CE, and supercritical fluid chromatography in metabolomic research. The application of each technique is discussed and its advantages and limitations are discussed with selective illustrative examples.

Capillary electrophoresis as a metabolomic tool in antioxidant therapy studies

The development of an approach by which two CE methods operating with opposite polarities and orthogonal capillary electrophoretic separation modes (method 1: normal polarity cyclodextrin modified MEKC (CD-MEKC) and method 2: reversed polarity CZE) for the sequential application to urinary samples from a type I diabetes metabolomics investigation is discussed. During method development, problematic MEKC profile drift issues arising from the high glucose content of the diabetic animal urine samples required some electrolyte modifications involving the use of hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) to circumvent the drift. Data derived from both methods were subsequently subjected to alignment, normalization and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) procedures. In such a way, classification of samples derived from control and diabetic animals receiving a placebo from those receiving an antioxidant nutraceutical, was successfully demonstrated. Such a strategy is a cost effective and comprehensive metabolomics tool useful for describing UV absorbing metabolite disease-related changes in nutra/pharma-ceutical studies.

Development of tissue-targeted metabonomics. Part 1. Analytical considerations

Tissue-targeted metabonomics provides tissue specific metabolic information while still retaining the profiling approach of traditional metabonomics. Microdialysis sampling is used to generate site-specific samples of endogenous metabolites. The dialysate samples are subjected to proton NMR analysis with data analysis by principal components analysis and partial least squares regression. In this study, sample and data pretreatment methods were examined for their impact on the quality of the data analysis. Specifically, the effects of speed vacuuming, sample solubility, sample pH stability, and sample storage stability were examined. Data pretreatment methods examined included the effects of standardization and normalization to internal standards. In addition, the ability of tissue-targeted metabonomics to generate time trend data was explored and more fully characterized using principal components analysis and partial least squares regression.

Capillary electrophoresis for short chain organic acids in faeces Reference values in a Mediterranean elderly population

There is increasing evidence that gut microflora and fermentation processes in the large intestine are important for health, and that health-promoting effects are mediated by fermentation products. Usually analytical methods for these compounds are tedious. A simple and rapid procedure of aqueous extraction from the stools has been optimized. After extraction, an aliquot of the aqueous layer was directly injected into the capillary electrophoresis equipment. Oxalic, formic, fumaric, 2-ketoglutaric, succinic, citric, acetic, propionic, 2-ketoisovaleryc, butyric, isovaleric lactic, glyceric 2-hydroxybutyric, and valeric acids were separated and identified. Electrophoretic conditions were: phosphate buffer 234 mM pH 6.10 with 12% (v/v) methanol with a coated capillary at -10 kV of applied potential. The method was validated for a representative group of compounds: acetic, propionic butyric, 2-hydroxybutiric, isovaleric, and oxalic acids, including the comparison of results with ionic chromatography. Finally 136 samples from healthy humans aged 60-80, both male and female living in Spain, were measured. They could be used as reference values for further studies.

CE assay of methylmalonyl-coenzyme-a mutase activity

Methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase (MCM) is a 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin-linked mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the isomerization of L-methylmalonyl-coenzyme A to succinyl-coenzyme A. We described a method for methylmalonyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA separation by CE, suitable for the evaluation of MCM activity. The working conditions for optimal separation were obtained in order to achieve the best resolution in the shortest analysis time. The optimization of buffer composition together with other variables, such as injection time, separation voltage, migration time, and capillary temperature, resulted in a solution of 30 mM NaH2PO4 containing 15 mM SDS, pH 3.2. Separations were carried out in an uncoated fused-silica capillary (55 cm, 50 microm id) at -25 kV, reading at 254 nm. The method performance was evaluated by measuring total and holo-MCM activity in biological matrices such as rat liver and human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The mean MCM activity was expressed in nmol/h/mg protein of tissue/cell extract and was calculated from the amount of reaction product formed. The rapidity of analysis and utmost precision (repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility) point out the potentialities of the proposed method for the differential diagnosis of methylmalonic acidemia, in relation to protein or coenzyme defects.

Direct sample injection for capillary electrophoretic determination of organic acids in cerebrospinal fluid

Organic acids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are potential diagnostic markers for neurological diseases and metabolic disorders. A capillary electrophoretic (CE) method for the direct analysis, i.e., without any sample preparation, of six organic acids in CSF was developed. A capillary coating consisting of a triple layer of charged polymers (polybrene-dextran sulfate-polybrene) was used in combination with a negative separation voltage, providing fast and efficient analysis of acidic compounds. Separation conditions, such as background electrolyte (BGE) concentration and pH were optimized, and the influence of albumin and sodium chloride was systematically studied using a set of test compounds. With injection volumes of ca. 44 nL, plate numbers of up to ca. 150,000 were obtained with a BGE of 200 mM sodium phosphate (pH 6.0). It appeared that high sodium chloride concentrations in the sample hardly affected the peak width and shape of the organic acids, most probably due to transient isotachophoresis effects occurring in the sample zone. Adverse effects of CSF proteins, which frequently compromise the CE performance, could be effectively minimized by the triple layer coating in combination with rinses of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid. Overall, the developed CE system allowed direct injections of CSF samples, yielding good separation efficiencies and stable migration times (RSDs<2%) for organic acids. Validation of the method with artificial and real CSF samples showed good linear responses (r>0.99), and LODs for the organic acids were in the range of 2-8 microg/mL when applying UV detection. RSDs for migration times and peak areas were <2% and <7%, respectively. The applicability of the CE system is shown for the determination of organic acids in CSF samples.

Capillary electrophoresis for caffeine and pyroglutamate determination in coffees

In a preliminary study pyroglutamate showed to be over 10 times increased in some lyophilised coffees with respect to brewed or filtered coffees, and probably that increase is related to some stage of the industrial process. Pyroglutamate is known to have a number of remarkable cognitive enhancing effects, which could be also related to the properties of coffee traditionally associated to caffeine. Pyroglutamate improves memory and learning and has anti-anxiety effects in rats. Therefore, a method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and pyroglutamate in coffee by capillary electrophoresis. Separation conditions employed MECK conditions with 50 mM borate buffer at pH 9.5 with 130 mM SDS. The applied potential was 10 kV and detection was performed at 200 nm. Afterwards, 10 soluble coffees from the market were measured and caffeine and pyroglutamate levels were compared. Those coffees with higher pyroglutamate with or without caffeine were preliminarily tested for sedative/stimulant properties and cognition enhancing effects in mice. The most relevant finding was a partial reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia in the passive avoidance paradigm after oral administration of one coffee.

Urine profiling using capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis

This work presents the development of a general and fast method for metabolic profiling of urine, using capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (CE-ESIMS) and multivariate data analysis (DA). Human urine samples collected before and after ingestion of paracetamol were analysed at acidic and basic CE conditions, using both positive and negative ESI-MS detection. Analysis of the entire resulting data set, with no prior knowledge of the target compounds, using pair-wise 'fuzzy' correlation and eigenvalue analysis enabled the samples to be discriminated between on the basis of blank urine and urine collected after drug intake. By generating two-dimensional loadings plots, it was also possible to identify the m/z values of the substances responsible for the differentiation between control and dosed samples.

Analysis of carboxylic acids in biological fluids by capillary electrophoresis

This review article addresses the different capillary electrophoretic methods that are being used for the study of both short-chain organic acids (including anionic catecholamine metabolites) and fatty acids in biological samples. This work intends to provide an updated overview (including works published until November 2004) on the recent methodological developments and applications of such procedures together with their main advantages and drawbacks. Moreover, the usefulness of CE analysis of organic acids to study and/or monitor different diseases such as diabetes, new-borns diseases or metabolism disorders is examined. The use of microchip devices and CE-MS couplings for organic acid analysis is also discussed.

Micellar electrokinetic chromatographic and capillary zone electrophoretic methods for screening urinary biomarkers of human disorders: a critical review of the state-of-the-art

Human urine plays a central role in clinical diagnostic being one of the most-frequently used body fluid for detection of biological markers. Samples from patients with different diseases display patterns of biomarkers that differ significantly from those obtained from healthy subjects. The availability of fast, reproducible, and easy-to-apply analytical techniques that would allow identification of a large number of these analytes is thus highly desiderable since they may provide detailed information about the progression of a pathological process. From among the variety of methods so far applied for the determination of urinary metabolites, capillary electrophoresis, both in the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) modes, represents a robust and reliable analytical tool widely used in this area. The aim of the present article is to focus the interest of the reader on recent applications of MEKC and CZE in the field of urinary biomarkers and to discuss advantages and/or limitations of each mode.

Evaluation of diabetes-related short-chain organic acids in rat plasma by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary zone electrophoresis method was optimised to analyse low-molecular-mass organic acids for the purpose of monitoring diabetes in rat plasma. The method included acetoacetic, 2-hydroxybutyric, lactic and uric acids. A variation in the background electrolyte allowed us to measure pyruvic acid in the same sample. Conditions have been optimised for measuring a large number of plasma samples corresponding to control and diabetic rats. Samples were mixed with acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) to precipitate proteins, centrifuged, diluted and injected. Tropic acid was chosen as an adequate internal standard. Separation was developed with reversed voltage by using a column cartridge pre-treated with polyacrylamide. Two electrophoretic buffers were employed: 0.150 M H3PO4 made up pH 6.20 with NaOH and 0.3 mM CaCl2 for acetoacetic, hydroxybutyric, lactic and uric acids, and 200 mM phosphate-10 mM acetate pH 4.0 for pyruvic acid, both with direct detection at 200 nm. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy and precision and the limits of quantification were calculated. The method was successfully applied to analyse these organic acids in control and diabetic animals. Acetoacetic and hydroxybutyric acids were clearly increased in diabetic rats, meanwhile no statistically significant difference has been found with the other acids.

Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of short-chain organic acids in coffee

A simple and rapid capillary electrophoresis method for low-molecular mass carboxylic acids measurement in coffee has been optimised and validated. Regarding separation conditions, phosphate concentration in the background electrolyte, surfactant type [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), tetradecyltri methylammonium bromide (TTAB) and hexadimethrine bromide (HDB)], percentages of organic modifier and pH were assayed. The best conditions were: 500 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.25 with CTAB 0.5 mM. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm i.d.) which was operated at -10 kV potential. Detection was performed at 200 nm. In such conditions 17 short-chain organic acids: oxalic, formic, fumaric, mesaconic, succinic, maleic, malic, isocitric, citric, acetic, citraconic, glycolic, propionic, lactic, furanoic, pyroglutamic, quinic acids plus nitrate were separated, identified and measured. Validation parameters of the method allow us to consider it lineal, accurate and precise and, therefore, reliable for its employment in food composition studies or for quality control. Results in coffees with different industrial treatment allow the detection of important differences in the organic acid profile.

Validated capillary electrophoresis method for small-anions measurement in wines

A capillary electrophoresis method has been developed and validated for acetic, citric, fumaric, lactic, malic, oxalic, succinic, and tartaric acids plus the measurement of nitrate and sulfite ions in white and red wines. The separation was carried out in a neutral coated capillary. Separation was performed at -14 kV of applied potential. Temperature was maintained at 20 degrees C. The background electrolyte used was 200 mM phosphate buffer at pH 7.50. Separation was obtained in less than 13 min. Validation parameters obtained for the method permit it to be considered adequate for routine analysis.

Capillary electrophoresis for the determination of organic acidurias in body fluids: a review

A systematic review of the literature on capillary electrophoresis applied to short chain organic acid analysis in body fluids has been conducted with special interest on those acids related to inborn errors of metabolism. The technique is briefly described, as well as the choice of the main analytical parameters: sample pre-treatment, polarity, capillary type, background electrolyte, and detection. The applications described in the literature are listed and the main features of the technique are discussed.

Capillary electrophoresis for short-chain organic acids and inorganic anions in different samples

This review article is a comprehensive survey of capillary electrophoresis methods developed for the measurement of short-chain organic acids and inorganic anions in a wide variety of matrices, such as food and beverages, environmental, industry, and other applications, as well as clinical applications in body fluids such as urine, plasma or cerebrospinal fluid. Details of sample pretreatment and of electrophoretic conditions have been collected in tables, arranged by the type of matrix. Strategies employed for method development for the analysis of these compounds by capillary electrophoresis in real samples are discussed.

Urinary analysis of nephrolithiasis markers

Renal stone disease is an ancient and common affliction, common in industrialised nations. The causes and incidence of nephrolithiasis are presented. Afterwards, the promoters and inhibitors of renal stone formation analysis in urine are described including enzymatic methods, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and other techniques. Aspects such as sample collection and storage are also included. The review article includes referenced tables that provide summaries of methodology for the analysis of nephrolithiasis related compounds.

Evaluation of filter paper collection of urine samples for detection and measurement of organic acidurias by capillary electrophoresis

There is little doubt that mental retardation has been prevented in most babies diagnosed by newborn screening programs for inborn errors and the cost-benefit ratios of these programs have been reported as highly positive. In a previous work we optimised a CE method for quick profiling of organic acidurias, which characterize a large number of inborn errors, so that it permits the separation, detection and even identification in less than 15 min of 22 organic acids in urine samples related to a wide range of metabolic disorders. In the present work we have studied the adequacy of filter paper collection of urine samples to simplify this step, always difficult in babies, when it is not performed by training personnel. The studied parameters were: media and conditions for re-extraction to give the best sensitivity and a more simple procedure when the samples are measured by CE, interferences coming from the diaper, recoveries obtained, possible correction of recoveries with creatinine and stability of the compounds. The whole method we report has the advantages of easy sample collection, easy shipping or delivery, and rapid analysis. Moreover, this method of collection and analysis allows the identification and quantitation of fumaric, methylmalonic, N-acetylaspartic, pyroglutamic and homogentisic acids, as well as glutaric acid for which screening is considered especially advisable.

Capillary electrophoresis for the determination of new markers of natural latex quality

Nowadays, increasing use of latex products in the healthcare area has also led to an increase in new scientific controls of raw material and manufactured products in order to maintain higher standards in quality control. Since field latex is a rich environment for microbial growth, in the absence of adequate preservation, the carbohydrates that it contains become microbiologically oxidised to the so-called volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Samples of natural rubber latex coming from different countries and processed in different ways have been tested by applying a capillary electrophoresis method for the measurement of the short-chain organic acids present in sera. The separation was performed with phosphate buffer at pH 6.25 and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as background electrolyte in an uncoated fused-silica capillary with -10 kV of applied potential. The sample needs no other pre-treatment more than coagulation to obtain the serum. In the assayed samples, it has been shown that poorly-preserved latex presented higher amounts of succinic acid and lower amounts of malic acid. The succinic to malic acid ratio may be an important parameter because it cannot be altered by dilution or similar processes such as the traditional VFA index, used to determine the quality of latex. Ratios for succinic to malic acid <0.6 have been found for well-preserved latex and >0.6 for poorly-preserved latex.

Measurement of nephrolithiasis urinary markers by capillary electrophoresis

A previously developed method for screening organic acidurias by capillary electrophoresis has been validated for oxalate and citrate measurement in urine. Sample pretreatment is minimum, just acidification and centrifugation. Detection is by direct UV. Validation parameters of the method can be considered adequate. Response is linear for both analytes in standards and samples. The assayed ranges were 200-1,000 mg/l for citrate and 10-200 mg/l for oxalate. Recoveries ranged from 99.4+/-3 to 101.7+/-2.4%, maximum imprecision in oxalate concentration was of 7.6% RSD and limits of detection in samples were 0.67 mg/l for oxalate and 25.9 mg/l for citrate, both lower than the measured values in samples. Identification of increased glyoxylic (oxoacetic acid) and glyceric acids (2,3-dihydroxy propanoic) are also included to facilitate the diagnosis.

Separation of free amino acids in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis with laser induced fluorescence: potential for emergency diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism

Free amino acids (AAs) in human plasma are derivatized with 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (CBQCA) and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection. The labeling procedure is significantly improved over results reported previously. Derivatization can be completed in 40 min, with concentrations as low as 4 x 10(-8) M successfully labeled in favourable cases. Twenty-nine AAs (including 2 internal standards) are identified and can be reproducibly separated in 70 min. Migration time RSD values for 23 of these AAs were calculated and found in the range from 0.5 to 4%. The rapid derivatization procedure and the resolution obtained in the separation are sufficient for a semi-quantitative, emergency diagnosis of several inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Amino acid profiles for both normal donor plasma samples and plasma samples of patients suffering from phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, maple syrup urinary disease, hyperornithinemia, and citrullinemia are studied.

Development and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the measurement of short-chain organic acids in natural rubber latex

Short-chain organic acid contents in serum of natural latex are interesting to measure and capillary electrophoresis (CE) has proved to be a good tool for their study. In the present work a method has been developed to identify the short-chain organic acids present in sera of natural rubber latex (oxalic, formic, fumaric, aconitic, succinic, malic, glutaric, citric, acetic, glycollic, propionic and quinic acids), the separation was optimised and the quantification method validated. The separation was performed on a CE system with UV detection at 200 nm. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm I.D.) and was operated at -10 kV potential. The separation buffers were prepared with 0.5 M H3PO4, 0.5 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and pH adjusted by adding NaOH to 6.25 except for propionic acid which was better measured at pH 7.00. Validation parameters are adequate and limits of detection range from 0.005 mM to 1.6 mM. Short-chain organic acids were measured with this method in sera of three different types of latex.