Author
bmcbride
Published
12th July 2017
Although you might not be familiar with Chromatography, it has an impact on your everyday life.
Chromatography is a technique used to separate the components of a substance to find out what it is composed of and its use affects everything from what you eat to how vaccines are made. There are many different types of chromatography and we'll show you 5 of the ways it can play a part in your day-to-day activities.
Why use a gas generator in your lab?
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1. Creating vaccinationsChromatography is useful in determining which antibodies fight various diseases and viruses. Scientists used Chromatography in the fight against the Ebola virus outbreak, which was responsible for over 11,000 deaths, to develop the experimental immunization Zmapp. The process was used to find out which antibodies are the most effective at neutralizing the deadly virus. |
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2. Food testingThe 2013 horsemeat scandal, in which horsemeat passed off by vendors as beef came to light, highlighted the ineffectiveness of traditional food analysis methods and positioned chromatography as the frontrunner in determining the contents of processed meat. The traditional methods of analysis were effective at determining the composition of raw samples but inconclusive when analyzing processed meats so a more precise method was called for. High performance liquid chromatography, combined with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was then successfully used to find out if meat that had been labelled as beef was beef, horse or a mix of these and various other ingredients. |
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3. Beverage testingFood isn't the only thing you consume which has been tested using chromatography. Many drinks manufacturers use this technique to ensure each bottle of their product is exactly the same, so you can rely on a consistent taste. One such brand is Jägermeister which uses chromatography to monitor the levels of sugar in their final product. |
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4. Drug testingAs an analytical technique, chromatography can accurately identify substances within the bloodstream. It is widely used in sport to test athletes for doping or performance enhancing drugs and is something to think about the next time you're watching your favorite sport. |
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5. Forensic testingChromatography is also used to help catch criminals. In line with programs like CSI, gas chromatography gc is used to analyze blood and cloth samples, helping to identify perpetrators and bring them to justice. |
Thinking of buying a PEAK gas generator for your chromatography lab?
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