What are the detection methods used in capillary electrophoresis?

Detection methods used in CE include optical methods (e.g. fluorescence and absorption) and electrochemical methods. Absorption detection relies on the absorption of light by analytes as they pass through a detection point in the capillary; UV absorption is commonly used. Fluorescence detection involves labeling analytes with fluorescent tags and detecting the emitted fluorescence as they pass through a detection point; laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is commonly used.

Electrochemical detection is categorized into three types: amperometric, conductometric, and potentiometric detection. Amperometric detection, known for its high sensitivity, enables the detection of low concentrations of saccharides. Conductometric detection relies on the difference in conductivity between the analyte zone and the background electrolyte (BGE). It can be carried out in contact or contactless mode, with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) being a common choice. Potentiometric detection involves monitoring changes in electrical potential as charged analytes migrate through the capillary.