Capillary electrophoresis as a sample separation step to mass spectrometry analysis: A primer

• Published in: TrAC, Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.) Trends in analytical chemistry (Regular ed.), 2023-07, Vol.164, p.117093, Article 117093
• Main Authors: Lapizco-Encinas, Blanca H., Zhang, Y. Victoria, Gqamana, Putuma P., Lavicka, Jana, Foret, Frantisek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capillary electrophoresis; CE-MS interface; Hyphenated systems; Mass spectrometry; Separations
• ISSN: 0165-9936; 1879-3142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.117093

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a separation technique that offers high resolution, great sensitivity, and short processing times. Mass spectrometry (MS) accurately characterizes ionized species based on mass and fragmentation patterns that identify analytes by their mass to charge ratio. Powerful analytical systems are enabled by hyphenating CE with MS. Introducing a sample separated into individual zones minimizes ion suppression and significantly enhances the capacities of MS. This review article is intended as an introduction to scientists and professionals who are already familiar with electrophoresis and are interested in learning about the analytical potential of CE-MS systems. Working principles and basic instrumentation, including the CE-MS interfaces, are included as the robust and sensitive interfaces are crucial to the acceptance of CE-MS systems in the (bio)analytical practice. A discussion of recent reports on CE-MS systems provides an overview of the latest advances, and the conclusions speculate on future developments. •Introduction to the analytical potential of CE-MS systems to users familiar with CE.•Development and advances in CE-MS systems.•CE-MS systems used for protein, antibodies, drugs, metabolites and body fluids.