title: Capillary electrophoresis with electrospray mass spectrometry detection for low-molecular-mass compounds.
abstract: Mass spectrometry (MS) detection using electrospray ionization (ESI) has been explored for the separation by capillary electrophoresis (CE) of a number of sample mixtures containing low-molecular-mass species. Optimal sheath liquid composition has been determined using a peptide mixture in which femtomolar quantities of analyte were easily observed. Effects of CE buffer choice were studied in detail. Also, a separation of basic drugs in cough syrup has been successfully detected by ESI-MS. Using negative ionization, a mixture of alkyl sulfonates and a mixture of food dyes were analyzed. All components were easily resolved and identified by molecular weight.
authors.affiliation: Thermo CE, Franklin, MA 02038, USA.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wheat
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lilley
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Banks
mesh_terms: D000476:Alkanesulfonates / Q000032:analysis*; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002021:Buffers; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000476:Alkanesulfonates; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D002021:Buffers; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010455:Peptides