Getting Started in HPLC

Section 0. The Language of HPLC: Q

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QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS: the determination of WHICH COMPOUNDS are present in a sample. In LC this is usually done by comparing retention times for bands in the unknown sample with retention times for various pure compounds suspected to be present in the sample. If a pure compound A is injected and its retention time is 6 minutes, and if a band in the unknown sample has a retention of 6 minutes, it is assumed that the 6 minute band in the unknown sample is compound A.


  
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS: the analysis of a sample in order to determine the concentrations of different compounds in the sample (HOW MUCH). Quantitative analysis in LC is usually based on the size of the bands in the sample chromatogram (peak height or area) compared to band size in a sample of known concentration (the calibrator or standard).


  
   
 

 

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Last revised: April 02, 2001.