A new universal detection system for high-performance thin-layer chromatography plates using chemiluminescence

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a cost-effective method for the separation of small molecules, such as active pharmaceutically ingredients. The method can be used without sophisticated equipment. For example, the detection and quantification of colored compounds on an HPTLC plate can be performed with a CCD camera. For noncolored compounds, a new dipping solution for the generation of chemiluminescence on an HPTLC plates is presented. In combination with a charge-coupled diode (CCD) camera, this can be used as a universal detection system. The efficiency of this new staining reagent is demonstrated by the detection of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole from a fixed-dose combination in a ratio of 1:5.