Determination of low-molecular-mass organic acids in any type of beer samples by coelectroosmotic capillary electrophoresis

A separation and determination of a mixture of 19 low-molecular-mass organic acids usually present in beer samples was developed using coelectroosmotic capillary zone electrophoresis. A polycation (hexadimetrine bromide, HDB) has been added to the electrolyte, which dynamically coats the inner surface of the capillary and causes a fast anodic electroosmotic flow. The main factors affecting reversal of the EOF such as type of modifier and concentration and influence of organic solvents were studied. Three types of modifiers, two alkylammonium salts (cethyltrimethylammonium bromide and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide) and a polycation (HDB) were investigated. The composition of the running buffer results on a 25% 2-propanol, 0.001% HDB and 50 mM sodium phosphate. The different instrumental parameters affecting the capillary electrophoretic separation were also optimized resulting on a −15 kV voltage with a hydrodynamic injection for 7 s with a UV detection at 210 nm. The applicability of the present method has been demonstrated for the determination of organic acids in different beer samples.