Rapid SDS gel capillary electrophoretic analysis of proteins

Capillary sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) electrophoresis is a powerful and sensitive method for the qualitative and quantitative microanalysis of molecular mass for biopolymers. Usually, a separation is carried out in the long part of the capillary (20-50 cm), before the detection window, with separation times of 15-50 min. The separation of model proteins and real fractions of cell culture broth in the short part (7 cm) of the capillary, behind the window, was investigated. The analysis time could be reduced to less than 5 min. A comparison with established separation techniques is presented. Different modes of injection (by pressure and electrokinetic) were considered. The proposed method can be used for on-line monitoring of biotechnological processes.