On-line sample preconcentration by LVSEP-FASI with simple voltage control on Y-channel chips

To eliminate complicated voltage controls for highly sensitive microchip electrophoresis (MCE) analyses on the basis of combining two online sample preconcentration techniques, large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow (EOF) pump (LVSEP) and field-amplified sample injection (FASI), cross-channel microchips and a multichannel high-voltage power supply were replaced to Y-channel chips and a conventional power supply designed for capillary electrophoresis, respectively. By simple switching of the electric circuit after the LVSEP-FASI sample enrichments, the focused analytes could be separated during anodic migration in a separation channel. In the LVSEP-FASI analysis of fluorescein using the Y-channel microchip, the maximum sensitivity enhancement factor (SEF) of 7400 was achieved, resulting in a 30-fold detectability increase compared to the conventional LVSEP. The developed method was applied to the oligosaccharide analysis in MCE. As a result, the SEF for maltotriose was improved from 450 to 2300 and the baseline separation of the oligosaccharides was achieved without any complicated voltage control in LVSEP-FASI on the Y-channel chips.

Automated summary

This study eliminates complicated voltage controls in highly sensitive microchip electrophoresis (MCE) analyses by combining two online sample preconcentration techniques, large-volume sample stacking with an electroosmotic flow (LVSEP) and field-amplified sample injection (FASI). The cross-channel microchips and multichannel high-voltage power supply are replaced by Y-channel chips and a conventional power supply designed for capillary electrophoresis. By simple switching of the electric circuit, the focused analytes can be separated during anodic migration in a separation channel. The method achieves significant sensitivity enhancement and baseline separation in the analysis of fluorescein and oligosaccharides.