This paper describes the use of high-performance capillary electrophor
esis (HPCE) for screening of thalassaemias. Preparation of globin was
performed by adding 1 mL of haemolysate to 20 volumes of cold acidifie
d acetone. Separation of globins was accomplished in a 25 mM disodium
phosphate buffer at pH 11.8 using an uncoated capillary column of 50 c
m X 75 mu m (i.d.). Distinct peaks of alpha, beta and gamma were resol
ved within 6 min. The coefficient of variations for within-day and bet
ween-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.