RAPID SCREENING OF TUBERCULOSIS PHARMACEUTICALS BY THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract
A quick, economical, and reliable thin layer chromatography (TLC) method for rapid screening of tuberculosis pharmaceuticals is described. The methods are based on the use of a portable kit involving grinding of samples, development with mobile phase, and application of detection reagents in polyethylene bags, or detection under ultraviolet light. Sample zones are compared to high and low reference standards developed on the same layer to determine if the drug content is within the specification range. Detailed instructions are given for specific drugs for which the TLC analysis has been successfully applied.