Biochemical Techniques and Instrumentation

2.6. Thin Layer Chromatography

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatography technique used for the separation of the compounds from a sample mixture. It is performed on a sheet of glass, plastic, or aluminum foil coated with a thin layer of adsorbent known as the stationery phase. Solvent or solvent mixture is used as the "mobile phase", which is also known as developing solvent. Mobile phase moves the sample applied on the plate through the stationery phase by capillary action and effects the separation of compounds. This technique was invented by Schraiber in 1939.