Electro chromatography on paper

The term 'electrochromatography' is used to denote the specific cases where chromatography and ionophoresis operate simultaneously. The electric field may be applied either in the direction of flow of the solvent or at right angles to it. The filter paper is previously treated with the relevant buffer solution and the developing solvent too is saturated with it. Colloidal graphite painted on the two sides of the paper serves as electrodes. A detailed study has been made of a number of amino acids at different pH's with phenol-buffer as the developing solvent. On ordinary paper acidic amino acids move towards the anode, basic ones towards the cathode, neutral amino acids do not move at all. Using buffer-treated papers, however, the movement depends upon the pH of the buffer and the isoelectric points of the amino acids. By choice of suitable pH and application of electric field in proper direction amino acids having very close RF values (except isomers) can be separated from one another.