Critical Factors Involved in a Successful Chromatographic Analysis

A chromatographic analysis contains a number of critical procedures whether it is concerned with GC, LC, TLC or CEC, and each procedure will be discussed in detail in due course. The seven essential procedures that are necessary for a successful analysis are as follows:-

A truly representative sample must be collected.

The sample must be carefully transported to the laboratory.

If the sample cannot be processed immediately, it must be suitably

stored so that its composition is not changed until analysis is possible

The sample must be prepared for analysis.

The analysis must be carried out.

The data must be processed

The results must be reported

All of the above procedures may differ depending on a number of analytical variables and the nature of the sample, e.g.,

The sample may be a gas, liquid or solid and each physical form will require a different sampling procedures

The physical form and nature of the sample will determine its manner of transport and method of storage

The chemical and physical nature of the sample will determine the way the sample is prepared and the selection of the chromatographic technique.

The level at which the materials of interest are present in the sample (trace components or major components) will also determine the choice of the technique and instrument.