Overpressured layer chromatography: From the pressurized ultramicro chamber to BioArena system

The pressurized ultramicro (UM) chamber as a closed adsorbent layer chamber enables the use of a special chromatoplate and a pump to increase and optimize the mobile phase flow velocity through an optional development distance in an adsorbent layer. This chamber is the basic instrument of overpressured-layer chromatography (OPLC), which is a separation technique that combines the advantages of conventional TLC/HPTLC with those of HPLC. The versions of OPLC instrument, the character and achievement of off-line and on-line OPLC systems in analytical and preparative use are described. The development of BioArena as a complex bioautographic system means an exploitation of the unique advantages of planar-layer system for detection, isolation and identification of new antimicrobials, antineoplastics, biopesticides and other biologically active substances as well as for studying fundamental biochemical reactions and mechanisms.

► The pressurized UM chamber may be the basis of more forced flow planar layer chromatographic techniques. ► OPLC is the first real planar-layer version of HPLC. ► Highlight results of BioArena: all studied antibiotic-like compounds act through HCHO and/or O3. ► Detection of endogenous formaldehyde and/or ozone in chromatographic spots opens new direction of research of antibiosis, resistance, etc.