Paper electrophoresis of amino-acids and oligopeptides at very high potential gradients

THE importance of the amino-acids and oligopeptides and the complexity of their mixtures often encountered stimulate a demand for more powerful analytical tools to complement those already available. Paper electrophoresis does not show satisfactory resolving power, particularly in the separation of the neutral amino-acids, at the low potential gradients (5–10 V./cm.) usually applied. Its value is greatly enhanced, however, by the application of high potential gradients, most likely because the great reduction in time required for the molecules to traverse a given distance minimizes the detrimental effects of diffusion and moisture changes in the paper strip. Technical difficulties arising from increased heat generation can be overcome by modification of the design of basic equipment and by efficient cooling.