Experimental and theoretical description of the isotachophoretic behavior of serum albumin.

The isotachophoretic behavior of serum albumin is examined for three anionic and one cationic electrolyte systems by (i) computer simulation, (ii) capillary isotachophoresis (ITP) and (iii) continuous flow ITP. The theoretical relationship between pH of the leading electrolyte and the steady state protein plateau concentration is presented for one of the anionic systems. With leading ion concentrations of the order of 10 mM, experimental protein plateau concentrations of 1.3-2.3% w/v are obtained. The computer predictions are approximately half these values.