Separation of metalloporphyrins by capillary electrophoresis with UV detection and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection

Vitamin B-12, cobalt protoporphyrin, manganese protoporphyrin, and zinc pro toporphyrin were separated using capillary electrophoresis, and a compariso n was made between detection with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrome try (ICP-MS) and UV detection. Absolute Limits of detection were slightly b etter with ICP-MS detection than with UV detection, but for both methods ab solute detection limits were in the picogram range. The migration times of the analytes decreased by several minutes when ICP MS detection was employe d, and this phenomenon was believed to be a result of a "suction effect" th at developed when the CE capillary was interfaced to the ICP-MS nebulizer. However, the resolution between species containing the same metal atom was not altered significantly, and the separation was completed in much less ti me relative to separations performed with UV detection. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience BN. All rights reserved.