Principle of Electrophoresis

Under the influence of an electrical field charged molecules and particles migrate in the direction of the electrode bearing the opposite charge. During this process, the substances are usually in aqueous solution. Because of their varying charges and masses, different molecules and particles of a mixture will migrate at different velocities and will thus be separated into single fractions.

In zone electrophoresis a homogeneous buffer system is used over the whole separation time and range so as to ensure a constant pH value. The migration distances during a defined time limit are a measure of the electrophoretic mobilities of the various substances. It can be applied to nonamphoteric as well as amphoteric molecules. During the separation diffusion can lead to blurred zones, which reduces the sensitivity of detection and the resolution.