The Role of Computer in Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A wide variety of commercially available liquid chromatography instruments (LC) now completely satisfy the requirements of most routine analytical and semipreparative separations. However, the selection of satisfactory separation conditions is still a major problem in LC. Recent advancements in computer technology now offer us very valuable and useful microcomputers, which can make the situation for finding the desired separation conditions convenient and time-saving. This contribution describes the computer-assisted strategy, i. e., the role of computer in LC, to identify benzo [a] pyrene in a sample as the test solute, which is one of the most important substances in environmental analysis.
In this strategy, information on LC systems suitable for solving an alytical problems, identification of benzo [a] pyrene in this case, can be obtained by retrieving references stored in a data base system and optimization can be performed by a retention prediction system based on the theoretical models of LC separations. The solute in complex mixtures that appears in chromatogram can be easily identified by the use of a computerized UV multichannel detection system. All the systems were controlled by microcomputers. As the results, it has been realized that the approach could be applied to practical analytical problems even though the strategy described in this investigation has been focused on only one solute.