A Microchromatographic Method for the Detection and Approximate Determination of the Different Penicillins in a Mixture

Abstract

MARTIN and co-workers¹ extended their technique of partition chromatography of the amino-acids to the micro-scale by using filter paper instead of silica gel as the support for the stationary phase (water). We have found that the modified partition chromatogram for penicillin using buffer as the stationary phase2 can also be adapted to the micro-scale by the same change in support. Colour reactions are not readily applicable to locate the positions of the invisible developed zones, so that a microbiological procedure has been used both to identify and to determine approximately the types and amounts of penicillins resolved on the buffered paper strip. The procedure is as follows.