Fluidic preconcentrator device for capillary electrophoresis of proteins

A new preconcentration device was developed for analysis of proteins by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The microfluidic device uses an electric field to capture proteins that pass through the system. The capture zone is maintained in the flow stream by the interaction between hydrodynamic and electrical forces. The device consists of a flow channel made of PEEK tubing with two electrical junctions, each of which is covered with a conductive membrane. A syringe pump provides the flow stream and also allows the injection of up to 13.5 microL of a dilute sample. The system can be easily connected to a CE device postcapture for off-line preconcentration of proteins. For the proteins used in this study, preconcentration factors up to 40-fold can be achieved. CE detection limits for bovine carbonic anhydrase, alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulins A and B were in the nanomolar range using UV detection at 200 nm. Preconcentration is dependent on both time and initial protein concentration. We show the possibility of using an off-line fluidic preconcentrator device employing counterflow capillary electrophoresis with minimum sample manipulation, achieving detection limits similar to on-line approaches.