Optimization of a capillary electrophoresis-electrospray mass spectrometrymethod for the quantitation of the 20 natural amino acids in childrens blood

This paper describes useful information on the capillary electrophoresis-el ectrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (CE-ESIMS) interfacing for the anal ysis of amino acids (AAs) in standard mixtures and in child plasma blood se rum. The developed procedure allows quantitation of the 20 natural AAs, in a single run, without any derivatization. Limits of detection as low as 3-2 0 mu mol/l (5-30 pg injected) per analyte were obtained with an efficiency of about 100 000 plates and a peak area relative standard deviation below 4 %. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.