Capillary zone electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes

A capillary zone electrophoresis method for the determination of clinical isoenzyme constituents comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing a clinical sample and a substrate capable of being catalyzed by clinical isoenzymes into reaction product into a capillary tube including therein a buffer;
• b) subjecting said sample to capillary zone electrophoresis techniques by applying an electric field to said capillary tube of sufficient voltage to allow for separation of isoenzymes within said sample into discrete zones within said capillary tube;
• c) terminating the application of said electric field for at least a minimum time period, said minimum time period determined by:
• 1) obtaining a numerator value, the numerator value being obtained by dividing the desired absorbance value for said product by a first value, the first value being obtained by multiplying the molar extinction coefficient of said product by the value of the internal diameter of said capillary;
• 2) obtaining a denominator value, the denominator value being obtained by multiplying the unit activity value for said enzyme by the molecular weight of the product, the value 10.sup.-6, and a quotient value, the quotient value being obtained by dividing the running temperature of the capillary electrophoresis system by the enzyme calibration temperature;
• and
• 3) dividing the numerator value by the denominator value to obtain said minimum time period;
• d) moving said reaction product through said capillary tube to a product detection region by applying an electrical field to said capillary tube of sufficient voltage to allow for movement of said product;
• and
• e) detecting said reaction product wherein the distribution of said detected product is determining of said enzyme constituents in said sample.