Overview of bioactivity-based analysis by HPTLC. Bridging the gap between cause and effect — HPTLC detection of bioactive compounds in the environment and in food

The efficiency of a chromatographic analytical method is determined by the selectivity of the chromatographic separation and the specificity of the detection method. In high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) the separated components can be detected and quantified directly on the plate by physical and chemical methods. By coupling high-performance thin-layer chromatography with biological or biochemical inhibition tests it is possible to detect toxic substances in situ