Chromatography
Introduction
A method used in labs to separate components from simple or complex mixtures is
chromatography. Chromatography comes in a wide variety of forms, from gas
chromatography to thin-layer chromatography and paper chromatography.
Chromatography comes in a variety of ways, but it all works on the same idea. All the
different forms feature a stationary phase – usually a solid – and something to convey the
complicated mixtures through the stationary phase, called the mobile phase, which is
commonly a gas or a liquid (Bioanalysis Zone, 2020). The mixture separates into its
constituent parts as a result of the various components moving through the stationary
phase at varying speeds. The chemicals that move more quickly or more slowly are
separated according to the characteristics of the respective mobile and stationary phases.
Retention time is the phrase used to describe these different travel times (Thermo Fisher,
2019).
The various chromatography techniques can be divided into groups based on the kind of
mobile phase that is used. Liquid chromatography is the term for the procedure if the
mobile phase is liquid. Similarly, the method is classified as gas chromatography if the
mobile phase is a gas.
The mixture that is being separated is carried through the stationary phase by the mobile
phase. When liquid chromatography is used, the mobile phase is a solvent or set of solvents,
such as dichloromethane or ethyl acetate, in which the mixture dissolves. An inert gas, such
as nitrogen or helium, is used as the mobile phase in gas chromatography (Bioanalysis Zone,
2020).
Smaller molecules are more mobile than larger ones when it comes to moving along the
chromatography paper or TLC plate.
Similarly, depending on the type of solvent used, the polarity of the molecules might
influence the distance that the spots travel. When a polar solvent is used instead of a non-
polar solvent, polar molecules will be more strongly attracted to polar solvents and will go
further (BBC BiteSize, 2024).
During my practical procedure, I will be using paper chromatography and thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) for the separation of mixtures. Similar to paper chromatography, thin
layer chromatography (TLC) uses a thin layer of an inert material, such as silica, supported
on a flat, unreactive surface, such as a glass plate, as the stationary phase. However, TLC has
some advantages of paper chromatography. Through the stationary phase, the mobile
phase moves a lot more swiftly, and also travels more evenly. In comparison to paper
chromatography, TLC usually produces more usable chromatograms that demonstrate a
higher degree of component separation and are therefore simpler to analyse (BBC BiteSize,
2024).
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, (Bioanalysis Zone, 2020).
Chromatography is crucial to ensuring the safety of medications. Chromatography is used by
pharmaceutical businesses to measure and check substances for impurities. For instance,
because of a little physical difference between their atoms, chiral substances exist in two
distinct forms. It is well known that certain chiral chemicals are hazardous. Chromatography
can guarantee that the chiral compound's safe and harmful forms are distinct from one
another. Chromatography is also used in the production of vaccines.
Additionally, chromatography can be used in the food and beverage business to implement
quality control. Chromatography is used in the food business to identify and evaluate
vitamins, proteins, amino acids, additives, and other nutritional components in food
products. Chromatography can also be used to identify any potentially dangerous poisons
that may have been added to the food item and to establish expiration dates by identifying
the amount of organic acids present (Chrom Tech, 2020).
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Introduction
A method used in labs to separate components from simple or complex mixtures is
chromatography. Chromatography comes in a wide variety of forms, from gas
chromatography to thin-layer chromatography and paper chromatography.
Chromatography comes in a variety of ways, but it all works on the same idea. All the
different forms feature a stationary phase – usually a solid – and something to convey the
complicated mixtures through the stationary phase, called the mobile phase, which is
commonly a gas or a liquid (Bioanalysis Zone, 2020). The mixture separates into its
constituent parts as a result of the various components moving through the stationary
phase at varying speeds. The chemicals that move more quickly or more slowly are
separated according to the characteristics of the respective mobile and stationary phases.
Retention time is the phrase used to describe these different travel times (Thermo Fisher,
2019).
The various chromatography techniques can be divided into groups based on the kind of
mobile phase that is used. Liquid chromatography is the term for the procedure if the
mobile phase is liquid. Similarly, the method is classified as gas chromatography if the
mobile phase is a gas.
The mixture that is being separated is carried through the stationary phase by the mobile
phase. When liquid chromatography is used, the mobile phase is a solvent or set of solvents,
such as dichloromethane or ethyl acetate, in which the mixture dissolves. An inert gas, such
as nitrogen or helium, is used as the mobile phase in gas chromatography (Bioanalysis Zone,
2020).
Smaller molecules are more mobile than larger ones when it comes to moving along the
chromatography paper or TLC plate.
Similarly, depending on the type of solvent used, the polarity of the molecules might
influence the distance that the spots travel. When a polar solvent is used instead of a non-
polar solvent, polar molecules will be more strongly attracted to polar solvents and will go
further (BBC BiteSize, 2024).
During my practical procedure, I will be using paper chromatography and thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) for the separation of mixtures. Similar to paper chromatography, thin
layer chromatography (TLC) uses a thin layer of an inert material, such as silica, supported
on a flat, unreactive surface, such as a glass plate, as the stationary phase. However, TLC has
some advantages of paper chromatography. Through the stationary phase, the mobile
phase moves a lot more swiftly, and also travels more evenly. In comparison to paper
chromatography, TLC usually produces more usable chromatograms that demonstrate a
higher degree of component separation and are therefore simpler to analyse (BBC BiteSize,
2024).
8
, (Bioanalysis Zone, 2020).
Chromatography is crucial to ensuring the safety of medications. Chromatography is used by
pharmaceutical businesses to measure and check substances for impurities. For instance,
because of a little physical difference between their atoms, chiral substances exist in two
distinct forms. It is well known that certain chiral chemicals are hazardous. Chromatography
can guarantee that the chiral compound's safe and harmful forms are distinct from one
another. Chromatography is also used in the production of vaccines.
Additionally, chromatography can be used in the food and beverage business to implement
quality control. Chromatography is used in the food business to identify and evaluate
vitamins, proteins, amino acids, additives, and other nutritional components in food
products. Chromatography can also be used to identify any potentially dangerous poisons
that may have been added to the food item and to establish expiration dates by identifying
the amount of organic acids present (Chrom Tech, 2020).
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