Capillary Electrophoresis: Methods and Scope

Capillary electrophoresis is a new analytical technique that has seen a great upswing in recent years, because this adaptation of electrophoresis may be automated and simple, direct quantification is possible. As in conventional electrophoresis, samples with a large range of molecular weights, from inorganic ions to biopolymers such as DNA and proteins, can be separated. Uncharged molecules can also be separated when micelle‐forming detergents are added to the buffer; the distribution mechanism that then comes into play increases the separation efficiency of this micellar electrokinetic chromatography. Chiral additives such as cyclodextrins make the separation of enantiomers possible. The rapid increase in the popularity of capillary electrophoresis is reflected in instrument sales and the growing number of scientific publications dealing with the method, and it seems that the future of this technique is assured.