High-performance thin-layer chromatography: Excellent automation

Abstract

Product innovations from CAMAG, Switzerland, have made thin-layer chromatography (TLC) a practical laboratory tool for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Instrumentation was developed to permit more precise auto spotting of the sample. Sample preparation is simplified because precoated clean plates are disposable. Multiple samples and standards can be run simultaneously under identical conditions in automated multiple development chambers. Mobile phase need not be compatible with detector. Chromatogram is inspected under UV 366 nm in a TLC visualizer UV cabinet to observe fluorescence for easy detection. Fluorescence visualization is usually very specific, almost like a fingerprint, when applicable. No other chromatographic technique can directly express the result as a color image and make it available for visual evaluation. These improvements in the technique result in higher separation power, resolution, accuracy, reproducibility, and faster analysis. HPTLC is the most simple separation technique available today for the analyst and can be considered a time machine that can speed up work and allow quite a number of processes at a time, usually not possible with other analytical techniques. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.