Resolution and quantification in poorly separated peaks from capillary zone electrophoresis using three-way data analysis methods

Abstract

This paper shows the use of three-way data analysis methods to improve resolution and quantification in poorly separated peaks from capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Second-order data (data matrices) obtained with a diode array detector (DAD) are analyzed. There is a large overlap in the electrophoretic time domain and the data do not have a strict trilinear structure. These shortcomings might hinder the mathematical resolution. However, three-way methods allow the pure electrophoretic profiles of the analytes to be recovered in an unknown mixture, even in the presence of uncalibrated interferences. Furthermore, the analyte can be quantified in unknown mixtures with reasonable accuracy using pure standards. As an example, ebrotidine metabolites were chosen to test the method.