Practical considerations for the analysis of ionic and neutral organic molecules with capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry.
This chapter presents the technique of capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE/MS). The introductory section is targeted mainly at CE/MS beginners and notes briefly the theoretical background of electrospray ionization (ESI), the most commonly used ionization mode in CE/MS. The specifics of CE/MS are described--also in comparison with more classic methods like LC/MS. Important caveats to be taken into consideration for successful CE/MS operation are noted in the interest of avoiding pitfalls. CE/MS is illustrated with three representative examples, which might serve as starting points for more in-detail experiments: (1) partial-filling micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) of neutral bacterial signaling molecules (N-acylhomoserine lactones) extracted from culture supernatants, (2) capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) of their anionic degradation products, and finally (3) CZE separation of cationic hydroxy-s-triazines.
Frommberger
Moritz
M
HelmholtzZentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Ecological Chemistry/Chemical BioGeoAnalysis, BioGeomics, Neuherberg, Germany.
Englmann
Matthias
M
Schmitt-Kopplin
Philippe
P
D019117:Burkholderia / Q000737:chemistry; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary / Q000379:methods*; D006714:Homoserine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000379:methods*; D014227:Triazines / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification
D007783:Lactones; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014227:Triazines; D006714:Homoserine