Use of capillary electrophoresis for thalassaemia screening

This paper describes the use of high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) for screening of thalassaemias. Preparation of globin was performed by adding 1 mL of haemolysate to 20 volumes of cold acidified acetone. Separation of globins was accomplished in a 25 mM disodium phosphate buffer at pH 11.8 using an uncoated capillary column of 50 cm x 75 microns (i.d.). Distinct peaks of alpha, beta and gamma were resolved within 6 min. The coefficient of variations for within-day and between-day runs were 4.7% and 6.37%, respectively. Using this simple and rapid procedure up to 30 specimens could be analysed in a single day. This method appears to be reliable and can be used for mass screening of various haemoglobinopathies.