Capillary zone electrophoresis with electrochemical detection for the determination of glutathione in human red blood cells without preseparation of hemoglobin

Interference is studied for the determination of glutathione (GSH) in human red blood cells by using capillary zone electrophoresis with end-column amperometric detection at a gold-mercury amalgam microelectrode. It is found that when interference substances such as hemoglobin (Hb) in the hemolysate flow off from the end of the separation capillary, they can be adsorbed on the surface of the electrode and interfere with the signal of GSH. If the concentration of hemolysate is lower than 0.5% (v/v), this phenomenon can be overcome because they are adsorbed on the surface of the capillary wall and do not flow off from the capillary. A method is developed for the determination of GSH in human erythrocytes without the preseparation of Hb.