Isocratic Elution and Gradient Elution in Chromatography


Isocratic elution and the gradient elution is decided base on the ratio (Composition) of the mobile phase in Mixture.
Generally, a mixture of two or more solvents is used as a mobile phase in chromatography technique. The ratio of the individual mobile phase changes during the chromatography or it may remain as per the requirement.

Isocratic Elution 
Isocratic elution means the composition of the mobile phase remains constant throughout the chromatographic separation.
In chromatography separation single mobile phase or mixture or mobile phase is used. Nowadays generally a mixture of the mobile phase is used it may be a mixture of two solvent or more than the two. The composition of the mobile phase neither increases one of them or decreases and remains the same. That type of elution is known as the isocratic elution.
Example: In Isocratic Elution If you are using a mixture of A and B as the mobile phase. The ratio of the mobile phase component A: B  in the mixture is 9:1. During the whole analysis the ratio of component A and B remains the same. The Ratio of the mobile phase is 9:1.

Gradient Elution:
Gradient elution means the composition of the mobile phase used in chromatography is changed during chromatography. When composition (ratio) of one solvent from the mixture of mobile phase increases or during elution. Gradient elution is one of the most effective methods for liquid. Gradient elution also depends on the instrumentation.
Example: In gradient Elution If you are using a mixture of A and B as the mobile phase. The ratio of the mobile phase component A: B  in the mixture is 8:2 During the whole analysis the ratio of the component A and B does not remain the same it may change as per the requirement. The composition of solvent A or B may increase or decrease with time. After % min run the composition of mobile Phase may 9:1 or 7:3.
In Gradient elution, the retained components move faster. When the composition of the organic solvent in the mobile phase is increased, the retained analyte moves faster.

Advantage of the Gradient elution over the Isocratic elution:
In isocratic elution the component which does not move faster it retained longer into the stationary phase, the peak is wider. Peak width increases with retention time and the last eluted peaks may be broad.

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