ABSTRACT
In commonly used Continuous flow electrophoresis (CFE) equipment the electrode compartments are separated from the sample processing space by ion-permeable diaphragms. These membranes allow the electric current to pass while preventing gas bubbles from the electrode reactions from coming into the separation space. In electrophoresis experiments with charged membranes a portion of the electrolyte ions is replaced by membrane-fixed ions. The same amount of electrolyte is accumulated in the electrode compartment. The most useful arrangement of ion exchanger membranes for cell electrophoresis is to combine an anion exchanger membrane sealing the cathode electrode compartment with a cation exchanger membrane sealing the anode electrode compartment. The electrode compartments contain the same buffers as those present at the corresponding membrane boundary inside the separation space. In CFE concentration changes near the electrode compartment diaphragms may cause severe interference with the separation process.
