While at Pittcon 2010, we started talking with the good people at Dino-Lite and their Digital Microscopes. Joe at Dino-Lite said, “Let’s see exactly how thin your Thin Layer Chromatography plates are.” That’s what led to this video (to really enjoy it, try going to full screen mode):
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University of Delaware Class on Thin Layer Chromatography
Karen Brinker and Leslie Allshouse graciously allowed us to join them recently as they led their University of Delaware
Clinical Physiological Chemistry II class through a drug testing procedure using Thin Layer Chromatography.
Unfortunately, our sound engineer was off his game that day – the background noise you hear in the video is blow driers being used to dry the TLC plates.
Many thanks to Karen and Leslie for letting us be a part of the class!
Analtech Video Campaign Inducted into Viral Marketing Hall of Fame
NEWARK, DE – Analtech, Inc., the only U.S.-based manufacturer of thin layer chromatography plates, was inducted today into MarketingSherpa’s 2009 Viral Marketing Hall of Fame for the company’s viral video, “The Adventures of Ana L’Tech.”
This is the fifth year MarketingSherpa, a research firm specializing in tracking what works in all aspects of marketing, has inducted members into the Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include:
• Analtech’s Adventures of Ana L’Tech Video
• Atlassian’s Stimulus Package
• California State Parks Foundation’s Friend Get A Friend
• Disney’s What Will You Celebrate?
• Grasshopper’s Chocolate Covered Grasshopper Mailing
• Microsoft’s I Am Enabled
• Rita’s Italian Ice Mystery Flavor
“This is a great honor,” said Analtech General Manager Steven Miles, “We’ve enjoyed great feedback from our customers and colleagues for this project – we’re proud to now receive this recognition from MarketingSherpa.”
The video was produced by the Delaware Film Company and written and directed by Christopher Stout.
“I am proud of the work done by everyone in this project,” Stout said. “This recognition from MarketingSherpa demonstrates that every company, regardless of how much of a niche their market is, can benefit from a well produced viral campaign.”
Since the launch of “The Adventures of Ana L’Tech” in September of 2008, the video has been featured on dozens of web sites and blogs around the world and has received praise from those in both the scientific and comedic communities.
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Analtech General Manager Steven Miles – Arena Football Kicker!
NAOSMM 2009 was held in the Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. Following the show, the place was transformed into the field for the Boise Burn Arena Football Team.
Steven Miles, General Manager for Analtech, wanted to try his hand, or rather – foot, at the sport – and Head Coach Brent Winter was willing to let him give it a try.
The following videos feature the pre-kick conversation between Steven Miles and Micky Jones explaining what led to this opportunity, then a couple of kicks from Boise Burn Kicker Ben Scott, and the final video is Steven Miles’ three kicks.
We want to express our appreciation to Coach Brent Winter, Kicker Ben Scott, and the entire team!
Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Counterfeit Drugs
Joseph Sherma is the John D. and Frances H. Larkin Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania. Professor Sherma has taught courses in analytical chemistry for more than 40 years, was head of the chemistry department for 12 years, and continues to supervise research students at Lafayette College. He is author and coauthor of over 600 papers and the author, coauthor, editor, and coeditor of over 60 books and manuals in the areas of analytical chemistry and chromatog
raphy.
Professor Sherma recently authored the article, “Thin Layer Chromatographic Analysis of Counterfeit Drugs” – which is featured in the Encyclopedia of Chromatography, Second Edition.
Here’s a look at the Abstract:
Economical and reliable thin layer chromatographic (TLC) methods for rapid screening of counterfeit drugs that can be carried out by analysts in the laboratory or in the field by inspectors with limited analytical expertise using portable kits, with standard reference tablets to eliminate weighing, are described. Separations are performed on silica gel layers containing fluorescent indicator; separated spots are detected under ultraviolet lamps and with iodine detection reagent. Development and iodine detection are carried out in polyethylene bags, glass jars, or closed TLC tanks. Sample spots are compared with reference standards developed on the same layer to identify the ingredients and determine if their content is within the specification range.
VIDEO REPORT: Chromatography used to identify 300 Year-Old Native American Dyes
WHYY Senior Health and Science Reporter Kerry Grens’ report on research by University of Delaware Doctoral Student Christina Cole on the composition of dyes used by Native Americans using chromatography. The report features an explanation of chromatography by Analtech General Manager Steven Miles and an interview with Delaware State University Prof. Claytrice Watson about forensic science.
Thin Layer Chromatography and HPLC featured in quality standards for Dietary Supplements
The U.S. Pharmacopieal (USP) Convention has just released a first-of-its kind collection of standards designed to assist dietary supplements manufacturers in providing quality products to consumers.
The USP Dietary Supplements Compendium (DSC) is a comprehensive resource containing quality specifications (identity, strength, purity, and performance characteristics) of more than 500 dietary supplements and ingredients. In addition to these standards, the DSC includes general and regulatory information, guidance documents, appendices, and macro/microscopy, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) full-color images that greatly simplify the analysis of ingredients of botanical origin—making it a central repository of necessary information for dietary supplements manufacturers.
The DSC serves as a tool for manufactures in:
- Developing, manufacturing and testing new products;
- Qualifying raw materials;
- Preparing for international quality control and cGMP audits;
- Setting and validating standard operating procedures;
- Collecting in-process and batch-release tests; and
- Accurately packaging, labeling and storing products.
Thin Layer Chromatography used to detect counterfeit medication in India
Excerpts from a research article published at Plosone.org:
Pilot Study of Essential Drug Quality in Two Major Cities in India
India is an increasingly influential player in the global pharmaceutical market. Key parts of the drug regulatory system are controlled by the states, each of which applies its own standards for enforcement, not always consistent with others. A pilot study was conducted in two major cities in India, Delhi and Chennai, to explore the question/hypothesis/extent of substandard and counterfeit drugs available in the market and to discuss how the Indian state and federal governments could improve drug regulation and more importantly regulatory enforcement to combat these drugs.
Random samples of antimalarial, antibiotic, and antimycobacterial drugs were collected from pharmacies in urban and peri-urban areas of Delhi and Chennai, India. Semi-quantitative thin-layer chromatography and disintegration testing were used to measure the concentration of active ingredients against internationally acceptable standards. 12% of all samples tested from Delhi failed either one or both tests, and were substandard. 5% of all samples tested from Chennai failed either one or both tests, and were substandard.
An Apple A Day – minus the patulin – how Thin Layer Chromatography provides faster, cheaper answers
Here’s an excerpt from Scirus.com about using Thin Layer 
Chromatography for the analysis of patulin in apple juice (emphasis added) :
Researchers from Brazil developed a rapid, simple and economical method using thin-layer chromatography quantification via fluorescence images from a UV lamp, for the determination of patulin in apple juice concentrate
Why it matters
According to the authors, patulin is a mycotoxin produced by certain species of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochlamys. In previous research studies, liquid chromatography has been used for patulin determination in clear and cloudy apple juices, apple puree and apple-based products intended for infants. Methods such as gas and liquid
chromatography have very low detection limits, but both techniques require sophisticated and costly equipment, extensive cleanup procedures and high purity solvents. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a fast, cheap and efficient method of separation and identification of many mycotoxins. By coupling a two-dimensional charge coupled device with thin-layer chromatography, the entire TLC can be imaged in a single exposure, yielding rapid quantification in shorter analysis time than slit scanning densitometers.
Thin Layer Chromatography used in plant defense research
Anti-herbivore Structures of Paulownia tomentosa: Morphology, Distribution, Chemical Constituents and Changes During Shoot and Leaf Development:
Background and Aims: Recent studies have shown that small structures on plant surfaces serve ecological functions such as resistance against herbivores. The morphology, distribution, chemical composition and chang
es during shoot and leaf development of such small structures were examined on Paulownia tomentosa.
Methods: The morphology and distribution of the structures were studied under light microscopy, and their chemical composition was analysed using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. To further investigate the function of these structures, several simple field experiments and observations were also conducted.