Separations by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Zone Electrophoresis: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract In this comparative study we attempt to examine the similarities and differences between analytical high-pressure liquid chromatography and capillary zone electrophoresis with regards to mechanism of separation, instrumentation and fields of application. Based on careful reading of the recent literature it is safe to conclude that the two techniques are complimentary, especially for the separation and analysis of biomolecules. Both have points of strength and weakness. Capillary zone electrophoresis is superior whenever high peak capacity is required such as in the analysis of DNA fragments, while high pressure liquid chromatography is superior for small and neutral molecules and in its quantitative capabilities.