Separations of Compounds of Biological and Environmental Interest by Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary Chromatography

Abstract

Important criteria for the effective separation of compounds of biological or environmental interest by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography are discussed. Efficiencies of approximately 100,000 plates/meter are achieved in the separations of samples of defivatized amines, aflatoxins, and hydroxy aromatic compounds. Laser fluorometric detection is shown to be capable of detecting subpicogram injected quantities. Organic solvents such as 2-propanol and acetonitrile are added to the aqueous mobile phases normally used to improve the separation of hydrophobic compounds, impart different selectiv-ities, and provide a means for gradient programming. Column diameter is found to influence efficiency, analysis time, and detection.