Recent applications of capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry (CE–MS): CE performing functions beyond separation

Capillary electrophoresis is one of the separation tools commonly used in conjugation with mass spectrometry. Its primary purpose is to resolve the components in a sample mixture prior to mass spectral identification. Moreover, an increasing number of applications reported in the literature involve the use of CE for additional purposes, such as sample preparation and derivatization, and the study of biochemical properties. This review provides an overview on the various roles of CE beyond that of a simple separation tool. While the scope focuses on the area of interest rather than a predefined time period, the majority of the references highlighted were initially published within the past five years.