Quantification of low molecular mass compounds using thermostated planar chromatography

Abstract

Separation, detection, and quantification of selected low-molecular mass compounds involving planar chromatography working under temperature-controlled conditions has been described, focusing mainly on the author and co-workers approach. Particularly, basic theory concerning temperature effects in chromatography as well as construction of simple vertical and horizontal chamber units for thermostated thin-layer chromatography (TLC) are discussed from a practical point of view. Moreover, an advantage of microplanar chromatography for fast one-and two-dimensional separation of multicomponent samples, including plant extracts, over separation protocols achieved via regular size TLC as well as its column counterpart, namely high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is also demonstrated. Additionally, temperature effect that may significantly improve sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness of spots detection process performed by postrun derivatization with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) is reported along with selected applications. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.