Chromatography:

Chromatography is sum of two words 'chroma' means color and 'graph' means ''to write'' . Chromatography is physical method of separation in which components to be separated between two phases. One of these two phases constitute a stationary bed of large surface. The other is mobile phase which percolates along or through the stationary phase.



This technique was introduced by Russian Botanist ''Mikhail Tsvet'' in 1900. He separated the plants extracts ( xanthophylls, chlorophyll, cartonese etc ) by using petroleum ether as a mobile phase and calcium carbonate as stationary phase. He used the basic procedure of column chromatography. Later on this technique was further developed by Synge and Martin during 1940 to 1950. They won Noble prize for this. 

Mobile phase:

The phase that moves through the system.

Stationary phase:

The phase that remains in fixed position.

There are following types of chromatography named below as;

  • Paper chromatography
  • Thin layer chromatography
  • Gel chromatography
  • Column chromatography
  • Ion exchange chromatography
  • Gas liquid Phase chromatography
  • Size exclusion chromatography
  • Affinity chromatography