Rapid capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of metal cations in beverages.

A rapid and reliable capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of inorganic cations was developed. The complete separation of K(+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Na(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+), Li(+) and Cu(2+) can be achieved in 4min with a simple electrolyte composed by 10mM imidazole as the carrier buffer and background absorbance provider and acetic acid as the complexing agent (pH 3.60). Injection was performed hydrostatically by elevating the sample at 10cm for 30s. The running voltage was +25kV at room temperature. Indirect UV-absorption detection was achieved at 185nm. The detection limit was in the range between 0.06mg/l (Mg(2+)) and 0.57mg/l (K(+)) and the quantification limits ranged from 0.10mg/l (Ni(2+)) to 0.80mg/l (Cu(2+)). The calibration graphs were linear in the concentration range from the quantification limit till at least 1g/l in K(+), 10mg/l in Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+) and Cd(2+), 40mg/l in Na(+) and 12mg/l in Li(+) and Cu(2+). The repeatability, intraday and interday analysis were