Isoelectric focusing of humic substances on ultrathin polyacrylamide gels: evidence of fingerprint performance

Differentiated interactions between humic substances and isoelectric focusing-carrier ampholytes were demonstrated by comparing specific absorption ratios from the supernatant after precipitation with 2 M HCl and with acid ampholytes (pH 2–4) containing both carboxylic and sulphate groups. An increasingly stronger interaction was observed when comparing soil humic substances to those of synthetic origin or those extracted from young reclaimed soil material. Electrofocusing of the humic substances under study revealed a fingerprint-like quality; the band patterns observed were consistent with the concept of three main fractions.