CMG001

High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) is an essential analytical instrument used to separate, identify, and quantify each component in a mixture. It operates by forcing a pressurized liquid solvent, the mobile phase, containing the sample mixture through a column packed with a solid adsorbent material, the stationary phase.

Separation occurs as the different components in the sample interact to varying degrees with the stationary phase. Those with stronger interactions travel more slowly through the column than those with weaker interactions, leading to their separation over time. As compounds exit the column, a detector measures their concentration, generating a chromatogram—a plot of detector response versus time.

Key components of an HPLC system include a pump to deliver the mobile phase at high pressure, an injector for sample introduction, the analytical column where separation occurs, a detector (such as UV-Vis or Mass Spectrometer), and a data system.

HPLC is renowned for its high resolution, sensitivity, and reproducibility. It is a versatile workhorse in numerous fields, including pharmaceuticals (drug development and quality control), biochemistry, food and beverage analysis, environmental monitoring, and forensic science. Its ability to handle complex mixtures with precision makes it an indispensable tool in modern analytical chemistry, providing critical data for research, compliance, and manufacturing.