Simple on-line sample preconcentration technique for peptides based on dynamic pH junction in capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry

We report an on-line sample preconcentration technique based on dynamic pH junction in capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE–MS). For peptide analysis, the samples were dissolved in a solution with higher pH than the background solution (BGS), and were injected into the capillary as a long plug. The pH difference between the sample matrix and BGS caused changes in analytes’ mobilities during electrophoresis, resulting in narrowing of their bands at the boundary. Around 550–1000-fold sensitivity enhancement could be achieved in terms of peak intensity without degrading peak shape and resolution. This technique is easy to perform and will be useful for peptide mass fingerprinting in protein analysis.