Posted by Chrom Tech on 28th Oct 2025

History of Chromatography: From Past to Present

By – Your Chromatography Consumables Partner Since 1983

Key Highlights

  • Chromatography began in the 19th century for separating plant pigments like chlorophyll.
  • Russian botanist Mikhail Tsvet pioneered the first chromatography column in 1901.
  • Major 20th-century advances include gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC).
  • Today, chromatography is essential in pharmaceuticals, environmental analysis, food testing, and forensic science.
  • Future innovations will integrate biotechnology, nanotechnology, and AI-driven automation.

Introduction

Chromatography transformed scientific analysis by allowing the separation and identification of complex mixtures. From early pigment studies to advanced life sciences, chromatography remains a cornerstone of analytical chemistry and biotechnology. Its evolution mirrors humanity’s growing ability to measure, purify, and understand the chemical world with precision.

The Origins of Chromatography

Read: Introduction to Chromatography Systems for Beginners

In 1901, Mikhail Tsvet developed the first chromatography column using a glass tube packed with adsorbent material to separate plant pigments. His groundbreaking work demonstrated how substances could be separated based on their interactions with stationary and mobile phases, establishing the foundation for modern chromatography.

Early Discoveries and Innovations

Building on Tsvet’s principles, partition chromatography emerged in the 1940s, enabling separation based on molecular distribution between two solvents. Archer Martin and Richard Synge refined this approach, earning the 1952 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Around the same time, gas chromatography (GC) expanded the scope of analytical chemistry by allowing the separation of volatile compounds with unmatched precision.

Key Milestones in Chromatography

Explore: The Evolution of Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

  • 1940s: Partition chromatography established by Martin and Synge.
  • 1950s: HPLC development improved resolution, sensitivity, and automation.
  • 1960s: Protein chromatography expanded with carbohydrate-based stationary phases.
  • Modern era: Innovations like UHPLC, SFC, and LC-MS/MS revolutionized speed and accuracy.

Chromatographic Techniques Explained

Read more: The Evolution of Liquid Chromatography Techniques

Column Chromatography

Column chromatography separates sample mixtures by passing them through a packed column where compounds interact differently with the stationary and mobile phases, leading to distinct elution profiles.

Gas vs. Liquid Chromatography

  • Gas Chromatography (GC): Uses a gaseous mobile phase for analyzing volatile and thermally stable compounds.
  • Liquid Chromatography (LC): Uses a liquid mobile phase, suitable for thermally labile and non-volatile compounds, including biomolecules.

Applications of Chromatography

Learn More About Chromatography Applications

  • Pharmaceuticals: Used for drug purity testing, compound isolation, and biopharmaceutical development.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Detects pollutants in air, soil, and water samples.
  • Food Safety: Identifies pesticides, contaminants, and additives in food products.
  • Forensic Science: Analyzes drugs, toxins, and biological evidence for investigations.

Future Directions in Chromatography

  • Miniaturized and portable chromatography systems for field analysis.
  • Integration with AI and machine learning for automated data interpretation.
  • Advanced multidimensional systems such as LC×LC and GC×GC for complex separations.
  • Enhanced applications in biotechnology and precision medicine, including cell and gene therapy purification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chromatography?

Chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate, identify, and quantify compounds within a mixture by distributing them between stationary and mobile phases.

What are the main types of chromatography?

The most common types include liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC), gas chromatography (GC), ion-exchange, affinity, and size-exclusion chromatography.

How has chromatography evolved over time?

From Tsvet’s early pigment separations to today’s UHPLC and LC-MS systems, chromatography has advanced dramatically in precision, automation, and sensitivity.

Can chromatography be done at home?

Yes, simple paper chromatography experiments can separate pigments using basic solvents, making it an educational tool for demonstrating chemical separation.

What’s next for chromatography?

Future chromatography will focus on increased automation, AI integration, and greener solvent systems for sustainable analysis.

Conclusion

From separating plant pigments in the early 1900s to driving discoveries in pharmaceuticals, environmental testing, and biotechnology, chromatography continues to shape the world of analytical science. As automation, miniaturization, and data intelligence advance, this century-old technique remains at the heart of precision measurement and discovery.