BUFFER CAPACITY, IONIC-STRENGTH AND HEAT DISSIPATION IN CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

The composition of background electrolyte (BGE) in capillary electroph oresis (CE) is important for both selectivity and efficiency. Although the importance of pH and ionic strength predominates, attention shoul d also be paid to specific conductivity, heat dissipation and bufferin g capacity. At a given pH/ionic strength combination, several buffers can in principle be used. Preference should be given to the so called Good type buffers because of the combination of higher buffering capac ity and lower specific conductivity. Heat dissipation, leading to dist urbances in migration and efficiency can thus be minimised. Buffer per formance was calculated using a recently developed buffer selection an d evaluation computer program.