Fingerprint profiling
Compare the band pattern of extracts side by side with standards.
Useful forHerbal extracts, botanicals, raw materialsChromatography & Separation
HPTLC
High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography
HPTLC separates many samples side by side on a coated plate, then scans each track to measure the bands. It is widely used for herbal fingerprinting, marker-compound assay and identity checks.
3 test optionsMany samples on one plateFingerprints & marker assayTypical turnaround 5–7 working days
HPTLC measurement principleIllustrative
01 / Overview
What is HPTLC?
Samples and standards are applied as narrow bands on a plate coated with a fine, uniform silica layer. The mobile phase rises through the layer in a closed chamber and separates each track; the bands are then visualised under UV or white light and scanned by a densitometer.
Because many tracks run on one plate under identical conditions, HPTLC is quick and economical for comparing samples, and the plate image is itself a visual fingerprint. For trace levels or complex quantitative work, HPLC gives higher resolution.
02 / How it works
How it works
- 01
Bands are applied
Samples and standards are sprayed as narrow bands along the start line of a coated plate.
- 02
Plate is developed
In a closed chamber the mobile phase rises through the layer and separates each track.
- 03
Bands are visualised
The plate is viewed under UV and white light, derivatised if needed, and photographed.
- 04
Tracks are scanned
A densitometer scans each track and turns band intensity into peaks for quantification.
03 / What it measures
What it measures
Marker quantification
Quantify marker compounds by densitometry against reference standards.
Useful forHerbal and Ayurvedic formulationsIdentity & adulteration
Check identity and spot adulterants against reference tracks.
Useful forRaw herbs, extracts, supplementsPurity screening
Reveal impurities and degradation products as extra bands.
Useful forDrugs, intermediates, natural productsRf values & band spectra
Rf values and in-situ UV–Vis spectra of separated bands.
Useful forBand identity and method work04 / Test options
Choose the HPTLC options you need
3 options · none added yet
05 / Sample requirements
Sample requirements
- Accepted forms
- Plant material, extracts, powders, formulations or solutions
- Quantity
- 1–5 g raw material or 100–500 mg extract per sample
- Standards
- Reference standards for markers to be identified or quantified
- Plates (scanning only)
- Dry, unmarked plates, packed flat and protected from light
- Name the marker compounds or references to compare
- Share any existing method or monograph
- Pack plates flat, wrapped in foil against light
- No fingerprints or pen marks on the coated surface
- No damp or mouldy plant material
Hazardous or air-sensitive samples: mention it in your request, and attach the MSDS if you have one.
06 / Results & turnaround
Results & turnaround
What you receive
- Plate images under UV 254 nm, UV 366 nm and white light
- Densitograms for each track
- Rf values, peak areas and amounts against standards
- Method conditions (plate, mobile phase, detection)
- Report PDF
Turnaround & pricing
Typically 5–7 working days after samples reach the lab.
Price confirmed in your quotation, depending on user type, options and number of samples.
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