Countercurrent Chromatography With the Flow-Through Coil Planet Centrifuge

Abstract

A method of countercurrent chromatography employing a vertical helical tube in a centrifugal field is described. The helical tube is arranged so that it does not rotate as it revolves, thus eliminating the need for rotating seals. Solutes introduced into the tube are subjected to a rapid partition process, resulting in an efficient chromatographic separation without the complications arising from the use of solid supports to retain the stationary phase. A phase diagram method is described to analyze the behavior of the two phases in the helical tube in relation to the variable involved in this system. The capability of the system is demonstrated on the separation of dipeptides using both plain and gradient elution.