What is Chromatography?

Chromatography is a separation technique used to separate and analyze mixtures of substances. It is based on the different affinity of the components in a mixture for a stationary phase and a mobile phase. The word "chromatography" is derived from the Greek words "chroma", meaning "color", and "graphein", meaning "writing". It refers to the original application of the technique, where dyes were separated according to their properties.

The basic principle of chromatography involves passing a sample mixture through a stationary phase, while a mobile phase (liquid or gas) transports the mixture. The different components of the sample mixture have different interactions with the stationary phase, causing them to move through the system at different speeds. This separates the components of the mixture from each other.

There are several types of chromatography, including gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and thin layer chromatography (TLC), each of which uses different stationary and mobile phases.

Chromatography is widely used in various scientific and industrial fields, such as pharmaceuticals, food analysis, environmental research, forensics, quality control and biochemistry. It enables researchers and analysts to separate complex mixtures, identify individual components and determine their concentrations. It is a powerful technique that contributes to understanding the composition of mixtures and makes it possible to perform accurate analyses.