During the April 6th session we further discussed the topic of chromatography. We also discussed the traits of anthocyanin and beta-carotene.

We planned to run chromatography separation for them in addition to chlorophyll which we already have done. Chromatography is separation of individual components of the mixture based on their relative affinities towards the stationary and the mobile phase. The samples are subjected to flow by a mobile liquid onto or through the stable stationary phase.

Chromatography’s many uses

Chromatography is applied everyday for a variety of applications in everyday life — from what we eat to fighting diseases.

1. It is used to create vaccines, like for the Ebola virus.

2. It is used for food testing, like from which species of animal a certain meat originates.

3. Beverage testing, to assure that the taste is consistent in each bottle.

4. Drug testing. It is used to identify substances in the bloodstream in sports to test the athletes for doping or performance enhancing drugs.

5. Forensic testing. Gas chromatography is used to catch criminals by analyzing blood and clothe samples, to help identify criminals and bring them to justice.

TLC and gas chromatography

Planar chromatography - paper or TLC (thin layer chromatography) is used to identify unknown substances by their Rf. It is used in medical and crime investigation. Gas chromatography is frequently used in environmental and petrochemical use to find what needs to be corrected. It is also used in chemistry related industries and research, in medical and investigative science, and for biological purposes. In either method of chromatography, a preparative mode or analytical mode can be applied depending on the scope of separation required.

β-carotene

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that protects the LDL cholesterol from oxidation, protects from cancer, protects the nervous system and cognitive status. It is extracted with ethanol and isopropanol.

Anthocyanin

Anthocyanin belongs to a class of molecules called flavonoids. Anthocyanin is present in leaves, stems, roots and flowers of plants. It is used as food coloring, E-163, protects plants during extreme temperatures and can be used as an environmental pH indicator. In acid it is red, in base it is green- yellow and in neutral pH it is purple. At very high pH levels it is colorless. Anthocyanin can turn solar energy to electrical energy, can serve as a solar cell and can be used instead of silicon. There is an additional anthocyanin which is called proanthocyanidin, it can inhibit an enzyme that causes cancer cells to proliferate.

Next time we will learn about viruses that are troubling us now and interrupting our lives and daily routines.