Separation of Parsley Using Thin Layer Chromatography

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ABSTRACT Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatographic technique used to separate the components of a mixture using a thin stationary phase supported by an inert backing. It may be performed on the analytical scale as a means of monitoring the progress of a reaction, or on the preparative scale to purify small amounts of a compound. TLC is an analytical tool widely used because of its simplicity, relative low cost, high sensitivity, and speed of separation.TLC functions on the same principle as all chromatography, which is, a compound will have different affinities for the mobile and stationary phases, and this affects the speed at which it migrates. The goal of TLC is to obtain well defined, well separated .This paper presents a review of the literature concerning the use of thin layer chromatography to separate the active ingredients of the parsley leaves into its different pigments .The silica gel remains the most important adsorbent for TLC separation.The migration of the different pigments is by capillary forces. Components that are more strongly attracted to the sorbent layer will travel a shorter distance, while components that are more soluble in the mobile phase will travel a longer distance from the origin.To identify possible pigments that are found in Robertson Parsley dry leaves, Thin layer chromatography was perfomed using a solid silica gel plate and a mixture of acetone, chloroform and di ethyl ether in the ratio 1:1:3. The solution from parsley was spotted on the plate and the plate allowed to develop in a developing tank.On removal of the plate from the tank, the migration front is marked together with all colour visible spots before they dry up.The distance travelled by each spot is measured and used to calculate the Rf values which are the ratios of the distance travelled by the sample to the the distance travelled by the solvent. The
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