Preparative capillary zone electrophoresis of three synthetic peptides was performed either manually or automatically by simple manipulations of a commercial electropherograph that is equipped only with an autosampler without any built-in fraction collection capability. Manual fraction collection was achieved by replacing the outlet (cathode) beaker with a microcentrifuge tube, and automatic fraction collection was accomplished by converting the electropherograph's autosampler into a fraction collector. The latter was easily achieved mainly by the use of an extension wire, which completed the electrical circuit and facilitated fraction collection either at a specified time or within fixed time intervals.