When molecules in the
mixture are very similar, direct quantification becomes difficult. HPLC is a
form of column chromatography used frequently to separate, identify and
quantify compounds. It consists of a stationary phase that absorbs the analytes
and holds them for a particular time. All the molecules in the mixture will
spend different time with different stationary phase and then come out at the
end. The time that a molecule takes to travel from one end to the other end of
stationary phase is known as Retention time. Hence, all the molecules display
their own unique retention time for particular stationary-mobile phase
combination. Silicagel is most frequently used as the adsorbent which is packed
in a column. HPLC columns are densely packed as packing directly affects the
resolution. A detector is kept at the end of the column. As the molecules come
out from the end, the detector detects and gives a peak on chromatogram. The
peak area calculation quantifies the molecule of interest on the basis of standard
values.