Detection of neuropeptides using on-capillary copper complexation and capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection.

Capillary electrophoresis with electrochemical detection using a carbon fiber electrode in conjunction with on-capillary copper complexation was evaluated for the determination of peptides in standard and biological matrices. Peptides composed of 2-10 amino acids were investigated. A comparison was made between the responses obtained for peptides containing the oxidizable residue tyrosine and those obtained for their respective copper complexes. Electrochemical detection of non-tyrosine-containing peptides and a cyclic peptide was also demonstrated. A separation of leucine (Leu)-enkephalin and five metabolites was developed and then used for the investigation of Leu-enkephalin metabolism in plasma. The appearance of the des-tyrosine (des-Tyr) Leu-enkephalin, which cannot be detected directly at a carbon electrode, was monitored using the on-capillary complexation technique. Direct injection of the plasma sample was possible using this methodology.