Instrumentation Used
ChromatographyChromatography refers to the general process of separating mixtures in a laboratory.
The process of chromatography starts off with the mobile phase (the solution holding the sample) getting injected into packed columns. The different parts of the sample get separated. The separated parts of the sample then run through a detector, which calculates the partition coefficient. Based on the partition coefficient, scientists can use a catalog to indentify what the sample was. We used this process to identify the vitamins and minerals that were contained in the samples. |
Mass SpectrometryMass Spectrometry is a process used to find chemical and molecular composition of a sample.
The process of Mass Spectrometry starts of with the substance being vaporized. It is then ionized and broken up by a beam of electrons. The separated sample then goes through a electric field, and then an magnetic field. The magnets deflect the particles into detectors, which measure the mass-to-charge ratio. Scientists can then use a catalog to determine the composition of the sample. We used this process to identify the presence of pesticides and heavy metals in the samples. |