Elute

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Elute is a term commonly used in chemistry and biochemistry to describe the process of extracting one material from another by washing with a solvent. This process is often used in chromatography to separate different components of a mixture.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word "elute" is derived from the Latin word elutus, the past participle of eluere, which means "to wash out."

Applications[edit | edit source]

Elution is a critical step in various scientific techniques, including:

  • Chromatography: In liquid chromatography, elution is the process of passing a liquid or gas through a column to separate different substances based on their interactions with the stationary phase.
  • Protein purification: Elution is used to separate proteins from a mixture, often using a gradient of increasing ionic strength or pH.
  • DNA extraction: Elution is used to purify DNA from a sample, typically involving the use of a buffer to wash the DNA off a solid support.

Types of Elution[edit | edit source]

There are several types of elution techniques, including:

  • Isocratic elution: The composition of the solvent remains constant throughout the process.
  • Gradient elution: The composition of the solvent changes gradually, often becoming more polar or less polar over time.

Elution in Chromatography[edit | edit source]

In chromatography, elution is a key step that determines the separation of components. The elution process can be influenced by several factors, including:

  • The nature of the stationary phase
  • The composition of the mobile phase
  • The flow rate of the mobile phase
  • The temperature of the system

Elution Profile[edit | edit source]

An elution profile is a graphical representation of the elution process, showing the concentration of different components as a function of time or volume of eluent. This profile helps in identifying and quantifying the separated components.

Related Techniques[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

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