HPTLC
INTRODUCTION 
 Sophisticated form of thin layer chromatography. It 
involves the same theoretical principle of thin layer 
chromatography. 
 It is also known as planar chromatography or Flat-bed 
chromatography. 
 Traditional Thin Layer Chromatography & its modern 
instrumental quantitative analysis version HPTLC are 
very popular for many reasons such as 
 visual chromatogram, 
 simplicity, 
 multiple sample handling, 
 low running and maintenance costs, disposable layer 
etc.
PRINCIPLE 
HPTLC have similar approach and employ the same 
physical principles of TLC (adsorption 
chromatography) i.e. the principle of separation is 
adsorption. 
 The mobile phase solvent flows through because of 
capillary action. The components move according to 
their affinities towards the adsorbent. The 
component with more affinity towards the stationary 
phase travels slower. The component with lesser 
affinity towards the stationary phase travels faster. 
Thus the components are separated on a 
chromatographic plate.
Steps Involving in HPTLC 
Sample 
Preparation 
Selection of 
chromatography layer 
Pre-washing 
Pre-conditioning 
Application of sample 
Chromatography development 
Detection of spots 
Scanning & documentation 
4
5 
Sample and Standard Preparation 
Solvents used are 
•Methanol, 
•Chloroform: Methanol (1:1), 
•Ethyl acetate: Methanol (1:1), 
•Chloroform: Methanol: Ammonia (90:!0:1), 
•Methylene chloride : Methanol (1:1), 
•1%Ammonia or 1%Acetic acid .
Selection of chromatographic layer 
• Precoated plates - different support materials - 
different Sorbents available 
•80% of analysis takes place by silica gel GF · 
• Amino acids, dipeptides, sugars and alkaloids - cellulose 
•Non-polar substances, fatty acids, carotenoids, cholesterol 
- RP2, RP8 and RP18 
•Preservatives, barbiturates, analgesic and phenothiazines- 
Hybrid plates-RPWF254s 
6
Pre coated plates 
• The plates with different support materials 
and sorbent layers with different format and 
thickness are used. 
• Plates with sorbent thickness of 100- 
250μm are used for qualitative and 
quantitative analysis. 
7
Supports: 
• Glass 
• polyester sheets 
• Aluminium sheets
9 
Some of the sorbents used in HPTLC: 
• Silica gel 60F (Unmodified ) 
• Alluminium oxide 
• Cellulose (microcrystalline ) 
• Silica gel chemically modified
Some of the binders used 
 Gypsum (G) 
 Starch (S) 
 Layer containing fluorescent indicator (F) 
10
Selection of HPTLC plates 
Hand plates were available which are made up 
of cellulose and other materials which are not 
used much now-a –days. 
11
Plate size 
 20X20cm 
 10X20cm 
 5X10 cm 
 5X7.5 cm 
 Good cut edges of sheets is important to obtain 
constant Rf values. 
12
Pre washing of pre coated plates 
The main purpose of the pre-washing is to 
remove impurities which include water vapours and 
other volatile substances from the atmosphere when 
they get exposed in the lab environment. 
Silica gel 60F is most widely used sorbent. The 
major disadvantage of this sorbent is that it contain 
iron as impurity. This iron is removed by using 
Methanol : water in the ratio of 9:1.This is the major 
advantage of the step of pre-washing. 
13
: Some common methods involved in 
pre-washing 
 Ascending method 
 Dipping method 
 Continuous method 
14
Solvents used for pre-washing 
 1.Methanol 
 2.Chloroform: methanol ( 1:1 ) 
 3.Choloroform: Methanol: Ammonia (90:10:1 ) 
15
Activation of plates 
 Freshly opened box of HPTLC plates doesn’t need 
activation. 
 Plates exposed to high humidity or kept in hand for 
long time require activation. 
 Plates are placed in oven at 110o-120oc for 30 min 
prior to the sample application. 
• Aluminium sheets should be kept in between two 
glass plates and placing in oven at 110-120ºc for 15 
minutes. 
16
Pre-conditioning 
• Also called Chamber Saturation 
•Un- saturated chamber causes high Rf values 
Sample application 
Usual concentration range is 0.1-1μg / μl 
Above this causes poor separation 
Linomat IV (automatic applicator) - nitrogen 
gas sprays sample and standard from syringe 
on TLC plates as bands 
Band wise application - better separation.
Selection of mobile phase 
•Trial and error 
•one’s own experience and Literature 
•Normal phase 
Stationary phase is polar 
Mobile phase is non polar 
•3 - 4 component mobile phase should be 
avoided 
•Multi component mobile phase once used not 
recommended for further use. 
•Twin trough chambers are used only because 
10 -15 ml of mobile phase is required
19 
Some applicators used for application of sample 
a) Capillary tubes. 
Samples applied in the form of spots. 
Volume of 0.1-0.2μl 
b) Micro bulb pipettes.
c) Micro syringes. 
• Sample can apply either as 
spot or band 
• Volume- 1μl. 
d)Automatic sample applicator. 
• Sample can apply either as 
spot or band.
Pre- conditioning (Chamber saturation) 
•Un- saturated chamber causes high Rf values 
•Saturated chamber by lining with filter paper for 30 
minutes prior to development - uniform distribution of 
solvent vapours - less solvent for the sample to travel - 
lower Rf values. 
Chromatographic development and drying 
•After development, remove the plate and mobile phase is 
removed from the plate - to avoid contamination of lab 
atmosphere 
•Dry in vacuum desiccator
H P T L C DEVELOPMENT 
 Vertical Development. 
 Vario method development. 
 Horizontal development. 
 Automatic Multiple 
Development (AMD)/( Gradient ). 
22
Twin Trough Chambers 
23
Vario Chamber Development 
VARIO CHROMATOGRAM 
24
Horizontal Development 
25 
•HPTLC plate is developed from 
both opposing sides towards the 
middle. 
•Plate sizes 10x10cm and 20x10cm
Post Chromatography Steps 
1) Detection. 
2) Photo documentation. 
3) Densitometry measurements. 
26
Detection 
Detection under UV light is first choice - non 
destructive 
- Spots of fluorescent compounds can be seen at 254 
nm (short wave length) or at 366 nm (long wave 
length) 
- Spots of non fluorescent compounds can be seen - 
fluorescent stationary phase is used - silica gel GF 
UV CABINET
Detection and visualization 
•Detection under UV light is first choice - non 
destructive. 
•Non UV absorbing compounds like ethambutol, 
dicylomine etc - dipping the plates in 0.1% iodine 
solution. 
Quantification 
•Sample and standard should be chromatographed 
on same plate after development chromatogram is 
scanned. 
•Concentration of analyte in the sample is 
calculated by considering the sample initially 
taken and dilution factors.
Densitometry measurements 
 Measures visible, UV absorbance or 
Fluorescence. 
 Convert the spot/band into chromatogram 
consisting of peaks 
9/29/2014 29
Instrumentation of HPTLC consists of following: 
 Lamp selector 
 Entrance lens slit 
 Monochromator entry slit 
 Grating 
 Mirror 
 Slit aperture disc 
 Mirror 
 Beam splitter 
 Reference photo multiplier 
 Measuring photo multiplier 
 Photo diode for transmission measurements.
INSTRUMENTATION
• Theory: According to the theory, the transmission of 
light in a translucent material can be described by: 
I0 = Ia + It + Ir + Ix 
Where, 
I0 = Intensity of incident light. 
Ia = Intensity of absorbed light. 
It = Intensity of transmitted light. 
Ir = Intensity of reflected light. 
Ix = Intensity of light lost due to 
scattering.
 The Densitometer work by 2 modes: 
1. Transmission mode 
2. Reflectance mode
 In transmission mode the ratio of It/Io is 
measured and converted in to absorbance values 
 In reflectance mode the ratio Ir/Io is measured 
and converted in to absorbance values 
 According to Goodman & Goodall transmission 
measurements are more sensitive than 
reflectance measurements
Fluorescence measurement in densitometry: 
1) Measurement of direct fluorescence 
2) Measurement of fluorescent quenching. 
1. Direct fluorescent measurement: 
• This method is followed if the spot exhibit 
fluorescence when exposed to UV light. 
• In this two monochromators are used for selection 
of excitation & emission wavelength. The 
fluorescence is measured in reflectance mode.
2) Fluorescence quenching measurement: 
• As the name indicates, it utilizes the ability of analyte to 
absorb & quench fluorescence light. 
• In this technique fluorescent background is incorporated 
into the layer. When excited by short wavelength 
radiation the plate fluorescence's uniformly. 
• If UV absorbing substance is present in the plate, a 
portion of the fluoresced light is absorbed & 
consequently quenched. 
• This fluorescence diminution is measured as a function 
of amount of analyte in the spot. 
.
Advantages of densitometer scanner: 
 The purpose of scanner is to convert the 
spot/band on the layer into densitogram 
consisting of peaks similar in appearance 
to HPLC. 
 The position of the scanned peaks on the 
recorder chart is related to Rf values. 
 Quantitation is faster, reliable accurate & 
reproducible
Photo-documentation With 
Digital Camera 
38
7)DOCUMENTATION: 
 1. Documentation is important because labeling every single 
chromatogram can avoid mistake in respect of order of 
application. 
 2. Type of plate, chamber system, composition of mobile 
phase, running time and detection method should be 
recorded. 
 3. TO assist the analysts and researchers E .merck has 
introduced HPTLC pre-coated plates with an imprinted 
identification codes.
Documentation 
 video scan software for quantitative evaluation 
of images capture with digistore
Differences between TLC and HPTLC
Applications of HPTLC 
 Pharmaceutical industry: Quality control, content 
uniformity, uniformity test, identity/purity check. 
 Food Analysis: Quality control , additives , 
pesticides ,stability testing ,analysis of sub-micron 
levels of aflotoxins etc. 
 Clinical Applications: Metabolism studies , drug 
screening ,stability testing etc 
 Industrial Applications: Process development and 
optimization, In-process Q.C. check, validation etc. 
 Forensic : Poisoning investigations.
A) QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION: 
1) Biochemical research/Biotechnology- 
Seperation of gangliosides 
2) Clinical- 
Inorganic & organic mercury in water & human 
serum. Caffeine in urine. 
3) Cosmetics- 
Hydrocortisone & cinchocaine in lanolin ointment 
4) Environmental Analysis- 
Pesticides in drinking water. 
Selenium in water. 
5) Food analysis- 
Vitamin C in fruit juices. 
Aflatoxins in food stuff
6) Pharmaceutical & chemical substance- 
 Content uniformity test of diclofenac sodium. 
 Vitamin B1 pharmaceutical products. 
7) Natural products ,plant ingredients- 
 Glycosides in herbal drugs. 
 Glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice. 
8) Doping analysis- 
 Atenalol in urine. 
B) FINGER PRINT ANALYSIS- 
 HPTLC finger print of Valerian. 
 Finger print of garlic, Ashwaganda. 
 Finger prints for identification of liquorice, ginseng.
9) Identification and separation of phenyl 
thiohydantoin -amino acid. 
10) analysis of drugs in blood 
EX: 1)separation of phenothiazine drugs like 
chlorpromazine, acetophenazine, perphenazine, 
trifluperazine and thoridazine. 
11) identification of mycotoxins in admixture : 
EX: detection of sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, 
citrinin, ochrotoxinA, patulin, penicillic acid. 
12) determination of polycyclic aromatic 
hydrocarbons in particulate sample. 
EX; determination of chryesene, pyrene, 
fluoronthene etc.
REFERENCES 
 HPTLC - Quantitative Analysis of Pharmaceutical 
Formulations by Dr.P.D.Sethi, Page No.3 – 72. 
 Pharmaceutical Analysis vol-II by Dr. A. V. Kasture, 
Dr. K. R. Mahadik Nirali Publishers page no 28-30. 
 Textbook of pharmaceutical analysis, third edition 
by S. Ravi shankar, Rx publications pages no 14.10 
to 14.12 
 www.pharmainfo.com 
 www.camagusa.com 
 www.infoexpo.com

Hptlc

  • 1.
  • 2.
    INTRODUCTION  Sophisticatedform of thin layer chromatography. It involves the same theoretical principle of thin layer chromatography.  It is also known as planar chromatography or Flat-bed chromatography.  Traditional Thin Layer Chromatography & its modern instrumental quantitative analysis version HPTLC are very popular for many reasons such as  visual chromatogram,  simplicity,  multiple sample handling,  low running and maintenance costs, disposable layer etc.
  • 3.
    PRINCIPLE HPTLC havesimilar approach and employ the same physical principles of TLC (adsorption chromatography) i.e. the principle of separation is adsorption.  The mobile phase solvent flows through because of capillary action. The components move according to their affinities towards the adsorbent. The component with more affinity towards the stationary phase travels slower. The component with lesser affinity towards the stationary phase travels faster. Thus the components are separated on a chromatographic plate.
  • 4.
    Steps Involving inHPTLC Sample Preparation Selection of chromatography layer Pre-washing Pre-conditioning Application of sample Chromatography development Detection of spots Scanning & documentation 4
  • 5.
    5 Sample andStandard Preparation Solvents used are •Methanol, •Chloroform: Methanol (1:1), •Ethyl acetate: Methanol (1:1), •Chloroform: Methanol: Ammonia (90:!0:1), •Methylene chloride : Methanol (1:1), •1%Ammonia or 1%Acetic acid .
  • 6.
    Selection of chromatographiclayer • Precoated plates - different support materials - different Sorbents available •80% of analysis takes place by silica gel GF · • Amino acids, dipeptides, sugars and alkaloids - cellulose •Non-polar substances, fatty acids, carotenoids, cholesterol - RP2, RP8 and RP18 •Preservatives, barbiturates, analgesic and phenothiazines- Hybrid plates-RPWF254s 6
  • 7.
    Pre coated plates • The plates with different support materials and sorbent layers with different format and thickness are used. • Plates with sorbent thickness of 100- 250μm are used for qualitative and quantitative analysis. 7
  • 8.
    Supports: • Glass • polyester sheets • Aluminium sheets
  • 9.
    9 Some ofthe sorbents used in HPTLC: • Silica gel 60F (Unmodified ) • Alluminium oxide • Cellulose (microcrystalline ) • Silica gel chemically modified
  • 10.
    Some of thebinders used  Gypsum (G)  Starch (S)  Layer containing fluorescent indicator (F) 10
  • 11.
    Selection of HPTLCplates Hand plates were available which are made up of cellulose and other materials which are not used much now-a –days. 11
  • 12.
    Plate size 20X20cm  10X20cm  5X10 cm  5X7.5 cm  Good cut edges of sheets is important to obtain constant Rf values. 12
  • 13.
    Pre washing ofpre coated plates The main purpose of the pre-washing is to remove impurities which include water vapours and other volatile substances from the atmosphere when they get exposed in the lab environment. Silica gel 60F is most widely used sorbent. The major disadvantage of this sorbent is that it contain iron as impurity. This iron is removed by using Methanol : water in the ratio of 9:1.This is the major advantage of the step of pre-washing. 13
  • 14.
    : Some commonmethods involved in pre-washing  Ascending method  Dipping method  Continuous method 14
  • 15.
    Solvents used forpre-washing  1.Methanol  2.Chloroform: methanol ( 1:1 )  3.Choloroform: Methanol: Ammonia (90:10:1 ) 15
  • 16.
    Activation of plates  Freshly opened box of HPTLC plates doesn’t need activation.  Plates exposed to high humidity or kept in hand for long time require activation.  Plates are placed in oven at 110o-120oc for 30 min prior to the sample application. • Aluminium sheets should be kept in between two glass plates and placing in oven at 110-120ºc for 15 minutes. 16
  • 17.
    Pre-conditioning • Alsocalled Chamber Saturation •Un- saturated chamber causes high Rf values Sample application Usual concentration range is 0.1-1μg / μl Above this causes poor separation Linomat IV (automatic applicator) - nitrogen gas sprays sample and standard from syringe on TLC plates as bands Band wise application - better separation.
  • 18.
    Selection of mobilephase •Trial and error •one’s own experience and Literature •Normal phase Stationary phase is polar Mobile phase is non polar •3 - 4 component mobile phase should be avoided •Multi component mobile phase once used not recommended for further use. •Twin trough chambers are used only because 10 -15 ml of mobile phase is required
  • 19.
    19 Some applicatorsused for application of sample a) Capillary tubes. Samples applied in the form of spots. Volume of 0.1-0.2μl b) Micro bulb pipettes.
  • 20.
    c) Micro syringes. • Sample can apply either as spot or band • Volume- 1μl. d)Automatic sample applicator. • Sample can apply either as spot or band.
  • 21.
    Pre- conditioning (Chambersaturation) •Un- saturated chamber causes high Rf values •Saturated chamber by lining with filter paper for 30 minutes prior to development - uniform distribution of solvent vapours - less solvent for the sample to travel - lower Rf values. Chromatographic development and drying •After development, remove the plate and mobile phase is removed from the plate - to avoid contamination of lab atmosphere •Dry in vacuum desiccator
  • 22.
    H P TL C DEVELOPMENT  Vertical Development.  Vario method development.  Horizontal development.  Automatic Multiple Development (AMD)/( Gradient ). 22
  • 23.
  • 24.
    Vario Chamber Development VARIO CHROMATOGRAM 24
  • 25.
    Horizontal Development 25 •HPTLC plate is developed from both opposing sides towards the middle. •Plate sizes 10x10cm and 20x10cm
  • 26.
    Post Chromatography Steps 1) Detection. 2) Photo documentation. 3) Densitometry measurements. 26
  • 27.
    Detection Detection underUV light is first choice - non destructive - Spots of fluorescent compounds can be seen at 254 nm (short wave length) or at 366 nm (long wave length) - Spots of non fluorescent compounds can be seen - fluorescent stationary phase is used - silica gel GF UV CABINET
  • 28.
    Detection and visualization •Detection under UV light is first choice - non destructive. •Non UV absorbing compounds like ethambutol, dicylomine etc - dipping the plates in 0.1% iodine solution. Quantification •Sample and standard should be chromatographed on same plate after development chromatogram is scanned. •Concentration of analyte in the sample is calculated by considering the sample initially taken and dilution factors.
  • 29.
    Densitometry measurements Measures visible, UV absorbance or Fluorescence.  Convert the spot/band into chromatogram consisting of peaks 9/29/2014 29
  • 30.
    Instrumentation of HPTLCconsists of following:  Lamp selector  Entrance lens slit  Monochromator entry slit  Grating  Mirror  Slit aperture disc  Mirror  Beam splitter  Reference photo multiplier  Measuring photo multiplier  Photo diode for transmission measurements.
  • 31.
  • 32.
    • Theory: Accordingto the theory, the transmission of light in a translucent material can be described by: I0 = Ia + It + Ir + Ix Where, I0 = Intensity of incident light. Ia = Intensity of absorbed light. It = Intensity of transmitted light. Ir = Intensity of reflected light. Ix = Intensity of light lost due to scattering.
  • 33.
     The Densitometerwork by 2 modes: 1. Transmission mode 2. Reflectance mode
  • 34.
     In transmissionmode the ratio of It/Io is measured and converted in to absorbance values  In reflectance mode the ratio Ir/Io is measured and converted in to absorbance values  According to Goodman & Goodall transmission measurements are more sensitive than reflectance measurements
  • 35.
    Fluorescence measurement indensitometry: 1) Measurement of direct fluorescence 2) Measurement of fluorescent quenching. 1. Direct fluorescent measurement: • This method is followed if the spot exhibit fluorescence when exposed to UV light. • In this two monochromators are used for selection of excitation & emission wavelength. The fluorescence is measured in reflectance mode.
  • 36.
    2) Fluorescence quenchingmeasurement: • As the name indicates, it utilizes the ability of analyte to absorb & quench fluorescence light. • In this technique fluorescent background is incorporated into the layer. When excited by short wavelength radiation the plate fluorescence's uniformly. • If UV absorbing substance is present in the plate, a portion of the fluoresced light is absorbed & consequently quenched. • This fluorescence diminution is measured as a function of amount of analyte in the spot. .
  • 37.
    Advantages of densitometerscanner:  The purpose of scanner is to convert the spot/band on the layer into densitogram consisting of peaks similar in appearance to HPLC.  The position of the scanned peaks on the recorder chart is related to Rf values.  Quantitation is faster, reliable accurate & reproducible
  • 38.
  • 39.
    7)DOCUMENTATION:  1.Documentation is important because labeling every single chromatogram can avoid mistake in respect of order of application.  2. Type of plate, chamber system, composition of mobile phase, running time and detection method should be recorded.  3. TO assist the analysts and researchers E .merck has introduced HPTLC pre-coated plates with an imprinted identification codes.
  • 40.
    Documentation  videoscan software for quantitative evaluation of images capture with digistore
  • 41.
  • 42.
    Applications of HPTLC  Pharmaceutical industry: Quality control, content uniformity, uniformity test, identity/purity check.  Food Analysis: Quality control , additives , pesticides ,stability testing ,analysis of sub-micron levels of aflotoxins etc.  Clinical Applications: Metabolism studies , drug screening ,stability testing etc  Industrial Applications: Process development and optimization, In-process Q.C. check, validation etc.  Forensic : Poisoning investigations.
  • 43.
    A) QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION: 1) Biochemical research/Biotechnology- Seperation of gangliosides 2) Clinical- Inorganic & organic mercury in water & human serum. Caffeine in urine. 3) Cosmetics- Hydrocortisone & cinchocaine in lanolin ointment 4) Environmental Analysis- Pesticides in drinking water. Selenium in water. 5) Food analysis- Vitamin C in fruit juices. Aflatoxins in food stuff
  • 44.
    6) Pharmaceutical &chemical substance-  Content uniformity test of diclofenac sodium.  Vitamin B1 pharmaceutical products. 7) Natural products ,plant ingredients-  Glycosides in herbal drugs.  Glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice. 8) Doping analysis-  Atenalol in urine. B) FINGER PRINT ANALYSIS-  HPTLC finger print of Valerian.  Finger print of garlic, Ashwaganda.  Finger prints for identification of liquorice, ginseng.
  • 45.
    9) Identification andseparation of phenyl thiohydantoin -amino acid. 10) analysis of drugs in blood EX: 1)separation of phenothiazine drugs like chlorpromazine, acetophenazine, perphenazine, trifluperazine and thoridazine. 11) identification of mycotoxins in admixture : EX: detection of sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, citrinin, ochrotoxinA, patulin, penicillic acid. 12) determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particulate sample. EX; determination of chryesene, pyrene, fluoronthene etc.
  • 46.
    REFERENCES  HPTLC- Quantitative Analysis of Pharmaceutical Formulations by Dr.P.D.Sethi, Page No.3 – 72.  Pharmaceutical Analysis vol-II by Dr. A. V. Kasture, Dr. K. R. Mahadik Nirali Publishers page no 28-30.  Textbook of pharmaceutical analysis, third edition by S. Ravi shankar, Rx publications pages no 14.10 to 14.12  www.pharmainfo.com  www.camagusa.com  www.infoexpo.com