Open Access

Bernd Spangenberg, Melanie Broszat, Helena Ernst

• Modern TLC-scanners can measure in absorption, fluorescence and also in transmittance. TLC-scanners cover the whole wavelength range from 200 up to 1100 nm. The disadvantage of TLC and HPTLC scanners is their high purchase price and maintenance costs. The high price of modern TLC-scanners makes image analysis in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) so interesting. Most TLC-applications are designed toModern TLC-scanners can measure in absorption, fluorescence and also in transmittance. TLC-scanners cover the whole wavelength range from 200 up to 1100 nm. The disadvantage of TLC and HPTLC scanners is their high purchase price and maintenance costs. The high price of modern TLC-scanners makes image analysis in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) so interesting. Most TLC-applications are designed to work in the wavelength range from 400 to 800 nm, using human eyes as detectors. Scanning equipment like CCD-cameras (charge coupling device-cameras) or flatbed-scanners working in the visible range are cheaply available and can be used for plate evaluation. The term video-densitometer has also been introduced for such scanning devices.…