Microfluidic Capillary Electrophoresis System for Organochloride Detection and Speciation

We present a novel labeling technique for detection and speciation of organochloride compounds using microcapillary zone electrophoresis coupled with laser induced fluorescence detection. Organochloride compounds in an aqueous mixture are conjugated with glutathione using 1,5 Diazabicyclo [4.3.0] non-5-ene as a catalyst. The conjugated species are then labeled with Pacific Blue succinimidyl ester and analyzed using a commercially available microcapillary electrophoresis chip. This approach was used to separate and identify trichloroethylene and dichloromethane in an aqueous mixture. In addition, we present a method for programmable, automated sample processing of commercially available CE microchips using Lifting Gate microvalve technology.