Element speciation analysis by capillary electrophoresis: what are the hints on becoming a standard analytical methodology?

While capillary electrophoresis (CE) is growing in importance as a versatil e assay for providing element speciation information, there still exist maj or challenges that limit the technique's practical acceptance. The potentia l problems in CE applied to speciation analysis are due to certain "noes": no special attention on sample preparation procedures ensuring species stab ility and avoiding matrix effects, no sufficient care on possible changes i n speciation during electrophoresis, no appropriate treatment on method val idation and system suitability aspects, no sample enrichment methodologies and detection systems refined for routine use, etc. Approaches to help addr ess these problems are brought into focus and critically evaluated. Recomme ndations are given how to advance reliable speciation measurements by CE. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.