Influence of inorganic mobile phase additives on the retention and separation efficiency of selected amino acids in thin-layer chromatography on cellulose layers.

Selected amino acid standards are investigated on cellulose layers using organic-aqueous eluent systems modified with neutral and chaotropic salts: chlorides, iodides, nitrates, thiocyanates, perchlorates, and hexafluorophosphates at low concentrations ranging from 10 up to 80mM in whole mobile phase. The effect of salts used as the mobile phase modifier is analyzed by the comparison of densitograms, peak symmetry coefficient, and theoretical plate number. The efficiency of chromatographic systems modified with inorganic salts additives depends primarily on the kind of salt and organic solvent in the mobile phase. The best efficiency is obtained through the addition of ammonium thiocyanate to the mobile phase containing acetonitrile as an organic modifier.