CE separation of various analytes of biological origin using polyether ether ketone capillaries and contactless conductivity detection.

The development of efficient and sensitive analytical methods for the separation, identification and quantification of complex biological samples is continuously a topic of high interest in biological science. In the present study, the possibility of using a polyether ether ketone (PEEK) capillary for the CE separation of peptides, proteins and other biological samples was examined. The performance of the tubing was compared with that of traditional silica capillaries. The CE analysis was performed using contactless conductivity detection (C(4)D), which eliminated any need for the detection window and was suitable for the detection of optically inactive compounds. In the PEEK capillary the cathodic EOF was low and of excellent stability even at extremes pH. In view of this fast biological anions were analyzed using an opposite end injection technique without compromising separation. A comparison of the performances of fused-silica and polymer capillaries during the separation of model sample mixtures demonstrated the efficiency and separation resolution of the latter to be higher and the reproducibility of the migration times and peak areas is better. Furthermore, PEEK capillaries allowed using simple experimental conditions without any complicated modification of the capillary surface or use of an intricate buffer composition. The PEEK capillaries are considered as an attractive alternative to the traditional fused-silica capillaries and may be used for the analysis of complex biological mixtures as well as for developing portable devices.