whYOKO YOKO-QB Thin Layer Chromatography Starter Kit
| Brand | whYOKO |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hubei, China |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Country of Origin | Domestic (China) |
| Model | YOKO-QB |
| Instrument Category | TLC Accessories & Manual Workflow System |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
The whYOKO YOKO-QB Thin Layer Chromatography Starter Kit is a purpose-engineered, modular system designed to support the full five-step TLC workflow—plate preparation, sample application, solvent development, visualization, and detection—in compliance with standard analytical laboratory practices. Unlike single-function instruments, this kit integrates interoperable, manually operated components calibrated for reproducibility across pharmaceutical QC, natural product isolation, forensic screening, and academic teaching labs. Each module adheres to fundamental chromatographic principles: capillary-driven mobile phase migration on silica-based stationary phases, governed by partition coefficients and polarity differentials. The system is not an automated instrument but a validated manual platform—engineered for precision, traceability, and method transfer consistency in environments where regulatory documentation (e.g., GLP-compliant notebooks, SOP-controlled workflows) remains essential.
Key Features
- Modular configuration supporting three standardized setups: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced—each pre-validated for inter-step compatibility and minimal cross-contamination risk.
- Manual plate coater (TF-III) with adjustable gap control (0.1–2.0 mm), enabling uniform silica gel layer deposition on glass or aluminum-backed plates; compatible with common adsorbents including silica gel 60 F254, alumina, and cellulose.
- Dual-chamber developing tanks (10 × 20 cm and 20 × 20 cm formats) with saturated vapor phase control, minimizing edge effects and ensuring Rf reproducibility per ICH Q5A and USP guidance.
- Thermal and chemical visualization suite: XR-I heating unit (ambient–200 °C, ±2 °C stability), PN electric spray applicator (0.05–0.3 mL/min flow control), PX enclosed spray chamber with fume extraction interface, and IA iodine vapor generator (sealed chamber, 40–60 °C operational range).
- UV detection options compliant with ISO 17025 documentation requirements: ZF-3 dual-wavelength (254/365 nm) analysis lamp with quartz viewing window; ZS digital imaging station featuring CCD sensor (≥12-bit dynamic range), lens-corrected optics, and timestamped image export (TIFF/PNG) for audit trail generation.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The YOKO-QB kit accommodates standard TLC substrates (glass, polyester, aluminum) and common stationary phases (silica gel, reversed-phase C18, amino, cyano). It supports aqueous-organic and chlorinated solvent systems (e.g., ethyl acetate/hexane, methanol/water/acetic acid) within standard lab ventilation parameters. All hardware meets CE-marked electrical safety standards (EN 61010-1). While the kit itself is not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified (as it contains no electronic data capture or user authentication), its design enables integration into Part 11–compliant environments when paired with validated LIMS or ELN systems—particularly when using ZS or YOKO-2000 imaging modules with audit-trail-enabled software.
Software & Data Management
No embedded firmware or proprietary operating system is included, consistent with its manual-platform architecture. Imaging modules (ZS, YOKO-2000) ship with Windows-compatible acquisition software supporting TIFF-based image capture, Rf calculation via reference marker alignment, and batch-export to CSV for external statistical analysis (e.g., PCA, cluster analysis). All software outputs include metadata embedding (date/time, operator ID, exposure settings) to satisfy ALCOA+ data integrity criteria. Raw image files are stored unprocessed to preserve evidentiary value during regulatory review.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical impurity profiling per ICH Q3B guidelines using comparative Rf and densitometric scanning.
- Herbal extract fingerprinting in accordance with Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) monographs and WHO herbal quality standards.
- Reaction monitoring in synthetic organic chemistry labs—tracking starting material depletion and intermediate formation without HPLC dependency.
- Academic pedagogy: hands-on training in chromatographic theory, resolution optimization, and method development under supervised GLP-like conditions.
- Forensic toxicology screening for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and opioids using multi-solvent development and dual-wavelength UV/iodine visualization.
FAQ
Is the YOKO-QB kit suitable for GMP-regulated manufacturing environments?
Yes—when deployed within documented SOPs and paired with calibrated ancillary equipment (e.g., certified balances, traceable pipettes), the kit supports Stage 1–2 process validation per ICH Q5C and serves as a cost-effective alternative to HPTLC for release testing of excipients and intermediates.
Can the TF-III coater produce layers equivalent to commercial pre-coated plates?
Under controlled humidity (<40% RH) and standardized slurry preparation (e.g., silica gel 60 + 0.2% calcium sulfate binder), the TF-III achieves ≤5% thickness variance across 10 × 20 cm plates—within the tolerance cited in ASTM D7912 for manual coating reproducibility.
Does the XR-I heater meet USP thermal activation requirements?
Yes—the XR-I maintains ±2 °C uniformity across its 15 × 20 cm heating surface at 110 °C for 30 min, satisfying USP’s recommendation for silica gel plate activation prior to development.
Are replacement parts and consumables available globally?
Silica gel 60 powder, UV254/365 indicator plates, and calibrated capillary tubes are distributed through authorized regional partners in EU, North America, and APAC; lead time averages 10–14 business days.
