Forced-Flow Development In Overpressured Layer Chromatography

This chapter briefly summarizes the progress of overpressured layer chromatography (OPLC) technique from 1979 to the end of 2013. Main technical and methodological solutions, moreover, important theoretical aspects as mobile phase movement and efficiency characteristics are also demonstrated. Transfusion, infusion, and infusion–transfusion operations as well as off-line and online processes are explained showing the flexibility of the OPLC systems. The multi-inlet and multi-outlet OPLC system give the possibility of online parallel sample separations by means of the flowing eluent wall and aliquot detection processes. OPLC separation hyphenated in off-line and/or online modes with other chromatographic and spectroscopic systems illustrate the potential in the field of analysis, isolation, and structure elucidation as well. The off-line combination of OPLC separation with direct bioautography and the activity-guided online isolation show a great possibility to find new biologically active compounds, moreover, the BioArena system helps to study the interaction of microbes with endogenous and/or exogenous cofactor molecules in the adsorbent layer bed.