Fully automated capillary isotachophoresis of proteins

Abstract

An apparatus for fully automated capillary isotachophoresis was constructed. A commercial apparatus (Shimadzu IP-2A) was modified in the electrolyte pumping system and the flow lines were simplified. An automatic sampler was used for sequential sampling. The equipment, pumps, the sampler, a high-voltage DC power supply, and a recorder, were controlled by a system controller which comprises a microcomputer and a BASIC program for time-control of the equipments. The apparatus was successfully used for the automated sequential analysis of human serum proteins. Forty serum samples were analyzed within 17 h without manual operation and for each sample the serum proteins were resolved into about twenty UV peaks or shoulders.