Derivatization trends in capillary electrophoresis: an update.

This survey as a sequel of two earlier reports gives an overview of recent developments, starting from 1999, in the use of derivatization protocols in capillary electrophoretic (CE) analysis. Derivatization is mainly used for enhancement of the detection sensitivity in CE, for which a combination of fluorescence labeling and laser-induced fluorescence detection is favorable. Moreover, especially in the field of saccharide assay, derivatization to introduce charge into the molecule, is common. Derivatization procedures are classified in tables, focused on precapillary, on-line, on-capillary and postcapillary arrangements and divided in sections concerning the functional group that is derivatized. The most frequently reported groups are amines and the reducing end of (oligo)saccharides, but thiols, carbonyl and carboxyl groups, steroids and inorganic ions have also been reported about. Other reasons for derivatization are to enhance chiral separation, introduction of a suitable charge into the molecule or to improve mass spectrometric detection. The use of derivatization techniques for special cases, such as the analysis of neurotransmitters, insulin antibodies and mitochondria has also been incorporated as well as a study on the adsorption of proteins onto capillary walls during CE in which derivatization plays a role.