Improved capillary electrophoresis method for the analysis of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in human serum, avoiding interference by complement C3

► A CE method for the determination of serum transferrin levels was developed. ► Carboxymethylcellulose and dextran sulfate were used as the buffer additives. ► The interference by complement C3 was successfully removed by the acidic polymers. ► Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin level in human sera was determined by this method. ► The determined values well agreed with those obtained by HPLC.