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Benefits of Gas Chromatography vs Thin Layer Chromatography

Thanks to advances in testing and analysis technology, there is an increasing demand for trained and highly skilled testing professionals. The impressive progress in improving testing equipment has also caused a rise in demand for analytical chemists.

Gas chromatography is one of the highest demanded training courses from aspiring chemists and scientists worldwide. This has made an increasing number of science students choose from the best gas chromatography training courses in India.

Chromatography is a scientific technique that focuses on separating chemical components of substances and has made enormous contributions in improving the operations in various industries, including life sciences, cosmetics, forensics, environmental monitoring, nutraceuticals, food production, and pharmaceuticals.

Nowadays, there is immense potential for trained gas chromatography professionals as the science in finding new ways of applications in varied industries has advanced.

Gas Chromatography vs Thin Layer Chromatography

The science of gas chromatography has evolved immensely over the past several decades. It started with simple column chromatography, evolved to paper chromatography then to thin layer chromatography before reaching the more advanced gas chromatography, also known as HPLC in industrial terms.

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Many students often get confused between thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography. Let’s check out the different aspects which make advanced gas chromatography better than its predecessor, thin layer chromatography technique.

1. Level of resolution

As compared to thin layer chromatography, the more advanced gas chromatography is better equipped to resolve the components of complex compound mixtures, such as petroleum smoke, that contain hundreds of individual components in a single sample. The resolution of such samples is not possible using the thin layer chromatography technique.

2. Advanced resolution

To resolve similar appearing peaks, the ability to control several operational thresholds is required, such as programming the temperature, adjusting spit ratios, and flow rate of carrier gas. Gas chromatography is able to achieve this effortlessly.

However, it is not possible to resolve overlapping bands/spots and closely appearing peaks using a thin layer chromatography method.

3. Analyzing speed

Being able to change operational parameters even while the chromatography process is underway is an essential advantage in getting an optimum resolution in the fastest way possible. This ability is lacking in the conventional thin layer chromatography technique.

On the other hand, the analysis done using gas chromatography technique gives test results in minutes as compared to the conventional thin layer chromatography technique.

4. Large sample choice

The thin layer chromatography technique is not ideal for analyzing volatile compounds, especially gases. However, the gas chromatography technique is made for testing samples with high boiling points, such as in the range of 380 degrees Celsius to 400 degrees Celsius using temperature programming.

This advanced analysis technique is also suited for testing liquid, gaseous, and dissolved solid samples with equal efficiency.

5. Complete quantitative technique

Gas chromatography is a completely quantitative testing technique that comes with the software designed to provide accurate readings and precise reports in various parameters, such as peak area counts for deriving correct quantitative estimates.

On the other hand, the thin layer chromatography technique normally requires additional treatment of spots, such as extraction or dissolving in suitable solvents for accurate spectrophotometric analysis. To get more accurate readings using the thin layer chromatography technique, scientists need to add accessories such as densitometers which prove to be a burden when it comes to expense.

These, and similar other reasons, make gas chromatography training courses a better choice for aspiring scientists as compared to getting trained in the conventional and outdated thin layer chromatography technique.

How to choose the best Gas Chromatography Training Courses in India?

According to industry experts, aspiring students who wish to pursue gas chromatography training courses in India need to ensure that the training institute teaches the essential topics, such as:

  • Evolution of Gas Chromatography
  • Introduction to Gas Chromatography Equipment and its Parts
  • Role of Gases in Gas Chromatography
  • Types of Gas Chromatography Injectors
  • Types of Gas Chromatography Columns
  • Types of Stationary Phases in Gas Chromatography
  • Types of Gas Chromatography Detectors
  • Top 10 Interview Questions in Gas Chromatography

Make sure that the training institute offers at least the above-listed topics in the curriculum so that you are well-trained and completely ready to face the challenges in gas analysis.

Salman Zafar

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