A NEW METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF MAITOTOXIN BY CAPILLARY ZONE ELECTROPHORESIS WITH ULTRAVIOLET DETECTION

Capillary zone electrophoresis with UV detection was applied to the ra pid and efficient separation of an underivatized phycotoxin, maitotoxi n, associated with ciguateric fish poisoning. Highly sensitive detecti on was obtained by UV absorption at 195 nm. A detection limit of 50 pg of maitotoxin was achieved at this wavelength. Analysis involved usin g a fused silica capillary coated with a hydrophobic phase, polyvinyla lcohols. Confirmation of the electrophoretic peak of maitotoxin was fu rther evaluated by cytotoxicity on a mammalian fibroblastic cell line, BHK 21 C13. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.