Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Column Chromatography Column chromatography is a method of separating substances in a mixture based on differences in their interactions with the stationary phase in the chromatography column. In this method, the mixture to be separated is injected into a column containing a stationary phase, which is usually small particles of adsorbent material or a phase that moves slowly. The basic principle of column chromatography is that the components in a mixture interact with the stationary phase differently. Components that have stronger interactions with the stationary phase will move more slowly through the column, while components that have weaker interactions will move faster. Column chromatography can be performed using various types of stationary phases and various separation techniques, including gravity column chromatography, high pressure column chromatography (High Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC), and gas column chromatography (Gas Chromatography, GC). The choice of column chromatography type depends on the physical and chemical properties of the mixture to be separated, as well as the purpose of the analysis. The applications of column chromatography are extensive, including in chemical analysis, purification of chemical compounds, identification of substances in complex mixtures, and in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, and environmental industries. This method is also widely used in scientific research for the separation and analysis of different substances. Thus, column chromatography is one of the most commonly used separation techniques in analytical and industrial chemistry, allowing efficient and accurate separation of substances in mixtures based on their interaction with the stationary phase in the chromatographic column. In column chromatography, there are several main components, namely: 1. Column: Is a tube filled with a stationary phase which is the separation medium. This stationary phase can be small particles of adsorbent material, such as silica gel or resin, or it can also be a certain liquid in liquid column chromatography. This column is where the separation of the components in the mixture occurs. 2. Mobile phase: This is the phase that moves through the column and carries the mixture to be separated. This phase can be a liquid or a gas depending on the type of chromatography used. 3. Injector: Component used to insert mixed samples into the column. Samples can be injected directly or with the help of an automatic delivery system. 4. Detector: Component used to detect elution or eluate coming out of the column. This detector produces a signal which is recorded and then processed to produce a chromatogram curve. 5. Pressure gauge (HPLC): High pressure column chromatography (HPLC) uses a pressure gauge to pump a mobile phase through a column at high pressure, allowing for faster and more efficient separations. The applications of column chromatography are very diverse. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, column chromatography is used in the purification of drugs and identification of active compounds. In the food industry, this technique is used in food quality analysis and contaminant detection. Meanwhile, in the environmental field, column chromatography is often used in the analysis of pollutants in water or air. By using the basic principle of interaction between mixture components and the stationary phase, column chromatography has become one of the most commonly used analytical and separation techniques in various fields of science and industry. In conclusion, column chromatography is an important method in analytical and industrial chemistry that is used for the separation and analysis of substances in a mixture based on their interaction with the stationary phase in the chromatography column. This process takes advantage of the different affinities of the mixture components towards the stationary phase, so that separation occurs based on the different levels of interaction. With various types of column chromatography available, such as gravity column chromatography, HPLC, and GC, this technique has a wide range of applications in various fields, including the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, environmental, and scientific research industries. Through the use of a column filled with both a stationary phase and a mobile phase, column chromatography allows efficient and accurate separation of substances in a mixture. Column chromatography has become an invaluable tool in the chemical analysis and purification of chemicals, and contributes to the development of high-quality products in industry. With a good understanding of the basic principles and applications of column chromatography, scientists and professionals in various fields can utilize it for a variety of analytical and separation purposes.