For the separation and identification of target compounds in the environmental field
High-performance thin-layer chromatography is a cost-effective, efficient and fast method in the environmental field (e.g. water, air, soil, plants and biological samples) for the separation and identification of target compounds. For example, it can analyse environmental samples that may pose a risk to human and animal health. It can also accurately identify toxic substances such as fungicides, pesticides and herbicides.
Environmental contaminants usually contain a variety of components that cause mixed toxicity, so identifying the most important toxins is a challenge. One approach to overcome this complexity is to perform bioassays on HPTLC plates. In this way, it might be possible to distinguish target effects from cytotoxicity.
Some bioassays have already been used with (HP)TLC, e.g. luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), acetylcholinesterase inhibition (AChE), penicillin, Bacillus subtilis, planar yeast oestrogen screening (pYES), luminescent E. coli and umu (Salmonellathyphimurium) test for genotoxicity.
HPTLC is particularly valuable for biodetection because of the low sample preparation requirements, the analysis of several samples under the same conditions, the remaining of the samples on the plate and their availability for biodetection as well as the possibility to remove solvents from the plate that do not disturb the detection.
With our HPTLC instruments, you can analyse different types of environmental and biological samples. The device ChromaJet DS20 is particularly worth mentioning as it is suitable for homogeneous spraying of living organisms.