Suitability of the Chromdes Ds-l Horizontal Tlc Chamber for Temperature- Controlled Planar Chromatography

Isothermal thin-layer chromatography in a non-thermostatted horizontal chamber has been investigated at sub-ambient and elevated temperatures. The rate of temperature equilibration was determined for the commercially available Chromdes DS-L horizontal TLC chamber placed in a circulating-air incubator. The time required for temperature equilibration was also studied for commonly used glass and aluminium backed plates transferred from room temperature to a chamber at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40°C. The effect of temperature on the retention and separation the steroids cholesterol, ergosterol, and stigmasterol was also investigated. Practical aspects of system robustness, temperature distribution within the chromatographic chamber, the stability of plate temperature, and applications of the method are also discussed.