Capillary electrophoresis of proteins in buffers containing high concentrations of zwitterionic salts

A method for improving protein separations in capillary zone electrophoresis utilizing high concentrations of zwitterionic buffer additives was examined. Lysozyme and alpha-chymotrypsinogen A were used as test proteins in untreated fused-silica capillaries in buffers of pH ca. 7.0 and 9.0 The zwitterion-containing buffers were compared with buffers containing high ionic salt concentrations and a buffer containing a combination of high ionic salt and high zwitterion concentrations. Over 100,000 theoretical plates were obtained in less than 30 min. for both test proteins in a pH 7 buffer containing both trimethylglycine and potassium sulfate. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique compared with those of other methods used to prevent protein adsorption are discussed.