Chromatography Testing
Galbraith Laboratories provides both custom and routine chromatographic testing for a wide range of analytes and applications. Our staff includes M.S. and Ph.D. trained chemists with experience handling unique and varied chromatography methods. Our basic quantitative methods for Gas Chromatography (GC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and Ion Chromatography (IC) allow wide flexibility to optimize for our client’s specific routine analysis needs. We also conduct analysis according to the latest compendial testing requirements or specific client-provided methods.
Because our analysis requests are highly varied and instrument time may be limited, please email or call ahead to discuss rush availability for chromatography analyses.
For highly custom analyses involving detailed preparatory procedures or unique methods of analysis, please request a consultation with a technical expert or click here to learn about our Method Development and Validation team.
Gas Chromatography – GC
Available Detectors: Flame-Ionization (FID), Thermal Conductivity (TCD), and Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (MS)
Available Injection Techniques: Headspace and Direct Injection
Gas Chromatography is primarily used to analyze volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds such as methanol, xylenes, ethyl acetate, phthalates, and more. While GC-FID is the most routine and low-cost way to conduct GC analyses, GC-MS can provide better identification of compounds by comparing the mass spectrum to a reliable database such as the one from NIST.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography – HPLC
Available Detectors: UV/Vis, Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)
HPLC uses liquid-phase interactions between the analytes and a column to separate compounds for analysis. This method is most suitable to analytes that are known to absorb UV/Vis light and may not be volatile enough or too thermally sensitive to analyze by GC. Due to the variety of parameters such as solvents, columns, and detection wavelengths it is best to work from known procedures such as compendial monographs or previously developed methods.
For LC/MS/MS analysis please inquire with our Method Development and Validation team.
Ion Chromatography – IC
Below are a list of analytes that are commonly analyzed on our ion chromatography systems:
Anions |
Cations |
Organic Acids |
| Fluoride | Lithium | Formate |
| Chloride | Sodium | Acetate |
| Bromide | Ammonium | Propionate |
| Sulfate (SO4 2-) | Potassium | Trifluoroacetate |
| Phosphate (PO43-) | ||
| Nitrite (NO2–) | ||
| Nitrate (NO3–) |
Samples are generally prepared using extraction, dilution, or Parr-bomb combustion techniques.
For alternate analytes or specific compendial analyses, please request a quote or consultation with a technical expert.
Thin Layer Chromatography – TLC
TLC is an expansion on the traditional paper chromatography seen in most general chemistry classrooms. Analytes are spotted onto a plate and allowed to separate as a solvent moves across the plate resulting in a pattern of visible spots which can be used to identify compounds in the context of a compendial monograph and, in some cases, indicate purity. TLC analysis requires reference to a compendial monograph or specific client method.
USP <467> Residual Solvents
Due to recent changes by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, all USP <467> Residual Solvents analyses may only be performed after either verification or validation of the specific material according to USP <1467> guidelines. Depending on your regulatory needs, this may require extensive validation. If you require this USP general chapter for regulatory reasons, please request a consultation with one of our technical experts to ensure that your analysis is handled properly.