What Are the Different Types of Chromatographic Techniques?
There are several types of chromatographic methods used in toxicology:
Gas Chromatography (GC): Ideal for volatile and semi-volatile compounds, GC is often coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for enhanced detection and identification. Liquid Chromatography (LC): Suitable for a wide range of polar and non-volatile substances. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) are common variations. Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC): A simple and cost-effective technique used for preliminary screening and semi-quantitative analysis. Ion Exchange Chromatography: Employed for separating ions and polar molecules, particularly useful in analyzing metals and organic acids. Affinity Chromatography: Utilizes specific interactions between analytes and a stationary phase, often used for protein purification.
