VOLTAGE PRECONDITIONING TECHNIQUE FOR OPTIMIZATION OF MIGRATION-TIME REPRODUCIBILITY IN CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

An additional tool for pre-conditioning a capillary electrophoretic sy stem is described which involves the application of a short-term volta ge (30 kV for 120 s) prior to analysis. Using this technique, migratio n-time reproducibility was improved to less than or equal to 0.25% R.S .D. (n = 10). This report comprises the first demonstration of the uti lity and capillary-to-capillary reproducibility of such a technique. G iven the buffering capacity of the electrolyte this is not due to pH s tabilisation; other possible mechanisms are discussed.