Abstract

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an analytical chemistry approach that allows for the efficient separation by charge of diverse classes of compounds for analysis, including secondary metabolites. The goal of this work was to optimize a buffer system for plant tissue analysis using micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), and by doing so to understand the role of buffer components in the performance of this form of capillary electrophoresis. In this experiment we implemented a factorial design to optimize buffer composition for separating plant tissue and secondary metabolites. The results of this experiment will be used to optimize a universal buffer for MEKC analysis that can be used on any variety of plant tissues. To determine the feasibility of this, a diverse set of plant secondary metabolite chemical standards in solution were tested as well as Helianthus annuus tissue to confirm the separation in a real biological sample. The results of this optimization yield insights into the utility of buffer components like electrolyte and pH for MEKC separation.

Thesis Completion

2019

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Mason, Chase

Co-Chair

Goolsby, Eric

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Biology

Degree Program

Biology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

11-1-2019

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Included in

Biology Commons

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