Ion trap mass spectrometry as detector for capillary electrochromatographyof peptides: Possibilities and limitations

Capillary electrochromatography has been coupled to an ion trap mass spectr ometer via a sheath flow electrospray interface. Peptide analysis was perfo rmed on 25 cm columns packed with C-18-bonded silica particles, and very fa st separations were obtained. Full mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectr ometry (MS/MS) detection were evaluated in terms of sensitivity and scannin g speed. The separation of seven selected peptides and their detection by M S/MS in selected reaction monitoring mode was demonstrated. The performance of this sheath flow interface also was compared with the previously report ed sheathless interface. Despite the loss in sensitivity (20-40-fold), the sheath flow interface was shown to be superior in terms of ruggedness, and allowed the use of higher electric fields to achieve faster analysis times. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.