Simple horizontal chamber for thermostated micro-thin-layer chromatography

The aim of presented work is to describe simple, fast and robust temperature-controlled system for non-forced-flow micro-planar chromatography. With this separation system the micro-TLC plates can be developed in horizontal position under temperature gradient or non-gradient as well as saturated or unsaturated chamber conditions using low amount of mobile phase ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 mL. The device may work at wide range of temperatures from −20 to 80 °C. Under such conditions the plate temperature equilibration can be obtained within 5–12 min and a typical non-forced flow run can be finished within short period of time ranging from 5 to 20 min. It has been revealed that micro-plate is capable to separate more than 10 spots in one direction or up to 180 spots per plate for two-dimensional and multi-development runs. Particularly, fast and efficient separation of number of analytes including fullerenes, cyclodextrins and steroids as well as complex samples obtained from natural products and pharmaceutical formulations was demonstrated. Moreover, the application of thermostated micro-planar chromatography for the retention and quantification studies is also discussed.