The knowledge base of chromatography continued to expand throughout the 1990s owing to its many applications to problems of contemporary interest in industry, life and environmental sciences. Organizing this information into a single text for a diverse group of scientists has become increasingly difficult. The present book stemmed from the desire to revise Chromatography Today, written by the same author with Salwa K. Poole, and published in 1991. This title is considered to be one of the definitive texts on chromatography. It was soon realized however, that a simple revision would not provide the desired result of a contemporary picture of the practice of chromatography at the turn of the century. The only workable solution was to start afresh, maintaining the same general philosophy and concept for Chromatography Today where possible, while creating essentially a new book.
The format of the new book is modular, with extensive cross-references to permit rapid location of related material using different separation concepts. Important features are extensive tabulation of essential data for performing separations and an extensive bibliography to the most recent literature.
This title is intended as a suitable text for graduate level courses in the separation sciences and as a self-study guide for professional chromatographers wishing to refresh their background in this rapidly expanding field.
The Essence of Chromatography presents a comprehensive survey of modern chromatography and is an effective replacement for Chromatography Today.
.Comprehensive and authoritative coverage of chromatographic techniques
.Contains extensive coverage of recent literature on this subject
.Ideal text for graduates and suitable for professional chromatographers"

Chromatography - A Century of Discovery 1900-2000 represents the combined thinking and contributions of many chromatographers. It includes several in-depth feature chapters covering the Beginnings of Chromatography, which highlights M.S. Tswett, the inventor of chromatography, and several other early pioneers. Included are the contributions of several Nobel Laureates, and 125 Chromatography Award Winners and contributors, an extensive bibliography of publications on the History of the Evolution of Chromatography; a presentation of Major International Symposia supporting chromatography and as a bridge to selected sciences. Special chapters are written by well-known Chromatographers on Support and Stationary Phases, and Separations followed by a chapter on Milestones and Paradigm Shifts in Science. New discoveries in the life sciences and medicine, agriculture, the environment and separations technology in the 21st century will rely immeasurably on the 20th century research tools in chromatography and those yet to be developed.

Rapid advances in chromatographic procedures, spectroscopic techniques and pharmacological assay methods have resulted in the discovery of an increasing number of new and interesting natural products from terrestrial and marine sources. The present volume contains comprehensive reviews on some of the major advances in this field which have taken place in recent years. The reviews include those on: novel metabolites from marine gastropods; the chemistry of marine natural products of the Halenaquinol family; secondary metabolites from Echinoderms and Bryozoans; triterpenoids and aromatic compounds from medicinal plants; chemistry and activity of sesquiterpenes from the genus Lactarius; the chemistry of bile alcohols; antifungal sesquiterpene dialdehydes; annonaceous acetogenins; nargenicin macrolides; and lignans and diarylheptanoids. Tropane alkaloids and phenolides formed by root cultures are also reviewed. Articles on natural Diels-Alder type adducts, the use of computer aided overlay for modelling the substrate binding domain of HLADH, applications of 170 NMR spectroscopy to natural product chemistry and the role of biological raw materials in synthesis are included. Volume 17 provides material of interest to natural products chemists.

This book brings together a number of studies which examine the ways in which the retention and selectivity of separations in high-performance liquid chromatography are dependent on the chemical structure of the analytes and the properties of the stationary and mobile phases. Although previous authors have described the optimisation of separations by alteration of the mobile phase, little emphasis has previously been reported of the influence of the structure and properties of the analyte.

The initial chapters describe methods based on retention index group increments and log P increments for the prediction of the retention of analytes and the ways in which these factors are influenced by mobile phases and intramolecular interactions. The values of a wide range of group increments in different eluents are tabulated.

Different scales of retention indices in liquid chromatography are described for the comparison of separations, the identification of analytes and the comparison of stationary phases. Applications of these methods in the pharmaceutical, toxicology, forensic, metabolism, environmental, food and other fields are reviewed. The effects of different mobile phases on the selectivity of the retention indices are reported. A compilation of sources of reported retention index values are given.

Methods for the comparison of stationary phases based on the interactions of different analytes are covered, including lipophilic and polar indices, shape selectivity comparisons, their application to novel stationary phases, and chemometric methods for column comparisons.

Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) has had a very significant impact on the field of analytical chemistry in recent years as the technique is capable of very high resolution separations, requiring only small amounts of samples and reagents. Furthermore, it can be readily adapted to automatic sample handling and real time data processing. Many new methodologies based on CE have been reported. Rapid, reproducible separations of extremely small amounts of chemicals and biochemicals, including peptides, proteins, nucleotides, DNA, enantiomers, carbohydrates, vitamins, inorganic ions, pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants have been demonstrated. A wide range of applications have been developed in greatly diverse fields, such as chemical, biotechnological, environmental and pharmaceutical analysis.

This book covers all aspects of CE, from the principles and technical aspects to the most important applications. It is intended to meet the growing need for a thorough and balanced treatment of CE. The book will serve as a comprehensive reference work. Both the experienced analyst and the newcomer will find the text useful.

Nowadays, there are increasing demands for the control and specification of all aspects of industrial manufacturing. There is also a growing need to understand various biological processes and conditions for agricultural production, and concern for protection of the environment and human health. These factors have made it imperative to develop adequate methods for the analysis of gaseous substances or substances that can be converted to the gaseous state. It is not only necessary to apply known and developed methods correctly, but novel analytical procedures must also be found. Instrumentation should be improved and the applications of these methods will have to be extended.

The present volume provides a comprehensive description of the state-of-the-art and of future possibilities in the analysis of gaseous substances. In the individual chapters the following themes have been discussed; the theoretical basis for the methods, a description of the instrumentation and the steps necessary in actual analyses and an outline of the principal areas in which each method can be employed. Both classical methods that are still useful for the solution of analytical problems using simple instrumentation, and the newest methods in the field are described. Special attention is paid to modern electrochemical and spectroscopic methods, and to methods based on a number of physical principles. Gas chromatography is discussed in the greatest detail because of its specially important position in modern analytical chemistry.

The book should be well received by the analytical public and should be extremely useful to students and workers in scientific research laboratories and in fields dealing with environmental protection.

The primary aim of this volume is to make the chemist familiar with the numerous stationary phases and column types, with their advantages and disadvantages, to help in the selection of the most suitable phase for the type of analytes under study. The book also provides detailed information on the chemical structure, physico-chemical behaviour, experimental applicability, physical data of liquid and solid stationary phases and solid supports. Such data were previously scattered throughout the literature. To understand the processes occurring in the separation column and to offer a manual both to the beginner and to the experienced chromatographer, one chapter is devoted to the basic theoretical aspects. Further, as the effectiveness of the stationary phase can only be considered in relation to the column type, a chapter on different column types and the arrangement of the stationary phase within the column is included.

The secondary aim of this book is to stimulate the development of new and improved standardized stationary phases and columns, in order to improve the reproducibility of separations, as well as the range of applications.

Research and development in the field of hyphenated techniques has been growing rapidly in the last few years, as indicated by the growing number of conferences on the subject and also the huge number of papers published on techniques such as LC-GC (Liquid Chromatography-Gas Chromatography). Multidimensional techniques - the combination of 2 separation techniques - is an important subsection of hyphenation technologies and up to now there has been no book covering all multidimensional techniques.

This monograph, edited by pioneers in the field, is the first book to review all multidimensional techniques including LC-GC, GC-GC and GC-Supercritical Fluid Chromatography. Part 1 describes the numerous combinations of techniques with much practical advice for the beginner as well as for experienced practitioners, while Part 2 details the many and varied applications in areas as diverse as polymer separations and environmental analysis.

Multidimensional Chromatography will be an invaluable resource for technicians, engineers and research scientists across a wide range of disciplines, both in industrial and academic laboratories. It is also a suitable text for graduate courses. The nature of the material means it can find a place in any analytical laboratory and scientific library.

This monograph examines the principles and applications of head-space analysis--a new and rapidly developing independent field in gas chromatographic analysis based on the use of "out of column" phase equilibria and partition coefficients in gas-liquid states. Different variations of quantitative analysis, including techniques for increasing analytical sensitivity and the calibration of chromatographs, are also presented. The advantages of analytical and physicochemical applications are illustrated by such examples as the determination of volatile organic impurities in natural and industrial discharge waters, polymers, and air, and also by examples in medical, biological, food, agricultural, and other types of research. Also included are discussions of the automatic instruments and technical equipment needed to conduct these analyses. A basic knowledge of the principles of gas chromatography and physical chemistry (an understanding of phase equilibria) is assumed. The book, therefore, can be used by a wide circle of readers, from teachers and students in advanced courses dealing with analytical chemistry and gas chromatography, to workers at testing and analytical laboratories. The book will also prove valuable to individuals involved in medicinal, sanitation and forensic chemistry, environmental protection, ecology and criminology.

This handbook is one of three containing an invaluable collection of research grade XPS spectra. Each handbook concentrates on a specific family of materials (the elements and their native oxides, semiconductors, and polymers) and is entirely self-contained. The introductory section to each handbook includes comprehensive information about the XPS instruments used, the materials, and the advanced methods of collecting the spectra. Energy resolution settings, instrument characteristics, energy referencing methods, traceability, energy scale calibration details and transmission function are all reported. Among the many valuable features included in each of these handbooks are:
* All spectra were measured by using Al_K monochromatic X-rays.
* All spectra were collected in a self-consistent manner to maximize data reliability and quality.
* All peaks in the wide spectra are fully annotated and accompanied by detailed atom % tables that report BEs for each of the labelled peaks.
* Each high-energy resolution spectrum is peak-fitted and accompanied by detailed tables containing binding energies, FWHMs and relative percentages.
In this volume, The Elements and Native Oxides, are contained XPS spectra of the elements and real-world practical grade spectra of their native oxides. Exclusive features of this volume include:
* Binding energies for pure elements that are accurate to +/- 0.06 eV
* Alphabetical organization based on commonplace chemical abbreviations
* Charge compensation with patented flood-gun-mesh-screen system
* C (1s) binding energies for adventitious hydrocarbons revealing that the BE ranges from 284.2 to 286.3 eV
* Valence band spectrafrom the elements.
This handbook is an invaluable reference for scientists in industry, academia and government laboratories that use XPS spectra in materials science and surface science. Also available: Handbook of Monochromatic XPS Spectra: Polymers and Polymers Damaged by X-rays Handbook of Monochromatic XPS Spectra: Semiconductors

A reliable, comprehensive, relevant view of HPLC and its applications

The development of HPLC-PED represents the successful marriage of two powerful analytical technologies and has resulted in the best technique for sensitive and direct detection of biological compounds with poor optical detection properties. PED has been used extensively for the determination of carbohydrates and other polar aliphatic compounds, and as a result, numerous methods have been developed to enable the analysis of a wide variety of samples. Over the years, many articles, anecdotal information, and misinformation have permeated the scientific community, with the possible consequence of confusion or uncertainty with regard to PED on the part of the analyst. Pulsed Electrochemical Detection in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography presents a reliable, comprehensive, and relevant review of HPLC-PED and its applications.

The book is divided into three major parts: background material necessary for a more thorough understanding of the principles and relevance of PED; an in-depth discussion of PED using voltammetry and other electroanalytical techniques and presenting the advantages, applicability, and optimization of all existing PED waveforms; and practical aspects of HPLC-PED, including a summary of the major applications and a look at future developments in the technique. Appendices include a pulsed voltammetry (PV) program specifically written to optimize pulsed amperometric detection (PAD) waveforms and all the known applications, categorized and listed in tabular form.

For analytical chemists; biochemists; carbohydrate chemists; biotechnologists; undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students; and lab technicians working in a range of areas including the pharmaceutical, medical, and food and beverage industries, this eminently readable guide is the first reliable book-length treatment of how to use PED coupled with HPLC.

A single-source reference describing how and why gas chromatography and mass spectrometry instruments work. Describes a wide range of technologies and offers guidance for their optimum use, outlining good practice, routine procedures, and trouble shooting.

Increased environmental consciousness within the scientific community has spurred the search for environmentally friendly processes as alternatives to conventional organic solvents. In the past two decades, numerous advances-including the use of ionic liquids-have made it possible to develop substitutes for some toxic solvents. Ionic liquids are widely recognized as suitable for use in organic reactions and can also improve the control of product distribution, enhanced reactivity, ease of product recovery, catalyst immobilization, and recycling. Environmentally Friendly Syntheses Using Ionic Liquids presents the latest developments in the field. It also reviews the latest applications in a wide range of fields including biotechnology, nuclear science, medicine, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and organic and inorganic chemistry-all from the standpoint of green sustainable chemistry. Growing interest in the field of ionic liquids will define newer and unexplored areas of applications, expanding possible use of these environmentally friendly chemicals. The information presented in this book will undoubtedly help motivate readers to further explore the field.

Chromatography has become a cornerstone of separation science, that branch of chemistry devoted to separating compounds from mixtures. Chromatography is one of several separation techniques defined as differential migration from a narrow initial zone. Electrophoresis is another member of this group. In this case, the driving force is an electric field, which exerts different forces on solutes of different ionic charge. The resistive force is the viscosity of the nonflowing solvent. The combination of these forces yields ion mobilities peculiar to each solute. There are two main categories of chromatography: preparative and analytical. Analytical work uses small sample sizes; the objective is to separate compounds in order to identify them. Preparative work uses large quantities of samples and collects the output in bulk; the point of the chromatography here is to remove impurities from a commercial product. The two are not mutually exclusive. Chromatography has numerous applications in biological and chemical fields. It is widely used in biochemical research for the separation and identification of chemical compounds of biological origin. In the petroleum industry the technique is employed to analyze complex mixtures of hydrocarbons. Pharmaceutical industries use this method both to prepare huge quantities of extremely pure materials, and also to analyze the purified compounds for trace contaminants. These separation techniques like chromatography gain importance in different kinds of companies, different departments like Fuel Industry, biotechnology, biochemical processes, and forensic science. Chromatography is used for quality analyses and checker in the food industry, by identifying and separating, analyzing additives, vitamins, preservatives, proteins, and amino acids. Chromatography like HPLC is used in DNA fingerprinting and bioinformatics.

Chromatography is a method used by scientists for separating organic and inorganic compounds so that they can be analyzed and studied. By analyzing a compound, a scientist can figure out what makes up that compound. Chromatography is a great physical method for observing mixtures and solvents. Chromatography techniques represent one of the most commonly used methodologies to separate components of complex mixtures. In any chromatographic technique, a stationary phase usually a solid, thick liquid, or bonded coating that stays fixed in one place, and a mobile phase or eluent (usually a liquid or gas) moves through it or across. Described for the first time in the early 1900s to separate plant pigments, it is now used in many application fields. Nowadays, the knowledge base of all the kind of chromatography is well known and described and several efforts are made to improve classical chromatographic techniques with high performance instrument, such as mass spectrometers. In this book, some recent interesting applications of principal types of chromatography are proposed. In particular, the five principal kind of chromatography (i.e. gas, liquid, thin-layer, ionic and molecular exclusion chromatography) are reviewed, focusing on innovative applications in basic and clinical research, food and plant sciences, pharmaceutical and environmental fields. Finally, an example of high-throughput approaches based on chromatography and mass spectrometry for the study of plasma lipid biomarkers for the diagnosis of breast cancer is proposed. Chromatography is important because it is a versatile and small quantities of a material can be separated with ease, it is fast and accurate if the hardware is maintained. Chromatography is one of the most common techniques in analytical technology and needs only a few micrograms of material in order to work. Chromatography has numerous applications in biological and chemical fields. It is widely used in biochemical research for the separation and identification of chemical compounds of biological origin. In the petroleum industry the technique is employed to analyze complex mixtures of hydrocarbons. As a separation method, chromatography has a number of advantages over older techniques-crystallization, solvent extraction, and distillation.

All the information and tools needed to set up a successful method validation system

"Validating Chromatographic Methods" brings order and Current Good Manufacturing Practices to the often chaotic process of chromatographic method validation. It provides readers with both the practical information and the tools necessary to successfully set up a new validation system or upgrade a current system to fully comply with government safety and quality regulations. The net results are validated and transferable analytical methods that will serve for extended periods of time with minimal or no complications.

This guide focuses on high-performance liquid chromatographic methods validation; however, the concepts are generally applicable to the validation of other analytical techniques as well. Following an overview of analytical method validation and a discussion of its various components, the author dedicates a complete chapter to each step of validation: Method evaluation and further method developmentFinal method development and trial method validationFormal method validation and report generationFormal data review and report issuance

Templates and examples for Methods Validation Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Test Methods, Methods Validation Protocols, and Methods Validation Reports are all provided. Moreover, the guide features detailed flowcharts and checklists that lead readers through every stage of method validation to ensure success. All of the templates are also included on a CD-ROM, enabling readers to easily work with and customize them.

For scientists and technicians new to method validation, this guide provides all the information and tools needed to develop a top-quality system. For those experienced with method validation, the guide helps to upgrade and improve existing systems.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

There is a growing need for high-throughput separations in food and environmental research that are able to cope with the analysis of a large number of compounds in very complex matrices. Whereas the most common approach for solving many analytical problems has often been high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the recent use of fast or ultra-fast chromatographic methods for environmental and food analysis has increased the overall sample throughput and laboratory efficiency without loss (and even with an improvement) in the resolution obtained by conventional HPLC systems.This book brings together researchers at the top of their field from across the world to discuss and analyze recent advances in fast liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods in food and environmental analysis. First, the most novel approaches to achieve fast and ultra-fast methods as well as the use of alternative and complementary stationary phases are described. Then, recent advances in fast LC-MS methods are addressed, focusing on novel treatment procedures coupled with LC-MS, new ionization sources, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the problematic confirmation and quantification aspects in mass spectrometry. Finally, relevant LC-MS applications in food and environmental analysis such as the analysis of pesticides, mycotoxins, food packaging contaminants, perfluorinated compounds and polyphenolic compounds are described.The scope of the book is intentionally broad and is aimed at worldwide analytical laboratories working in food and environmental applications as well as researchers in universities worldwide.

This volume presents recent progress and perspectives in multi-photon processes and spectroscopy of atoms, ions, molecules and solids. The subjects in the series cover the experimental and theoretical investigations in the interdisciplinary research fields of natural science including chemistry, physics, bioscience and material science.This volume is the latest volume in a series that is a pioneer in compiling review articles of nonlinear interactions of photons and matter. It has made an essential contribution to the development and promotion of the related research fields. In view of the rapid growth in multi-photon processes and multi-photon spectroscopy, care has been taken to ensure that the review articles contained in the series are readable not only by active researchers but also those who are not yet experts but intend to enter the field.

The versatility of liquid chromatography (LC) allows its applicability to countless areas. From the quality control of various industries, such as pharmaceutical, alimentary or chemistry, passing through health, environmental, toxicological or forensic activities, and also in the area of genetics or R liquid chromatography applications are used world-wide. This book presents key support for everyone that works or intends to work in analytical fields, from students to senior researchers. The principles of liquid chromatography, the new fluorinated stationary phases or how to achieve robustness, are examples of fundamental liquid chromatography issues that are discussed in the book. Furthermore reviews about the latest developments on the LC-MS/MS determination of antibiotic residues in food-producing animals or of emerging pollutants in environmental samples are presented, as well as liquid chromatography applications for the determination of vitamin E isomers in foods. Preparative liquid chromatography is also discussed, as is the role of liquid chromatography to evaluate food authenticity, namely milk and dairy products. Last but not least, metabolomic and proteomic analysis, as well as serendipity are important issues that also benefit liquid chromatography utilisation. The present book is truly innovating and, certainly, will be an important tool for those that are engaged in analytical science in all of the different areas of interest.

This book is the first example in presenting LC-MS strategies for the analysis of peptides and proteins with detailed information and hints about the needs and problems described from experts on-the-job. The best advantage is -for sure- the practical insight of experienced analysts into their novel protein analysis techniques. Readers starting in 'Proteomics' should be able to repeat each experiment with own equipment and own protein samples, like clean-up, direct protein analysis, after (online) digest, with modifications and others. Furthermore, the reader will learn more about strategies in protein analysis, like quantitative analysis, industrial standards, functional analysis and more.

Established ion chromatography techniques have changed little since the 1980s but a new technique, high performance chelation ion chromatography (HPCIC), has revolutionized the area. HPCIC enables a much greater range of complex samples to be analyzed and this is the first comprehensive description of its use in the trace determination of metals. Written by world leaders in the field, it is aimed at professionals, postgraduates, chromatographers, analytical chemists, and industrial chemists. The book describes the underlying principles which give rise to the special selectivities that can be chosen for separating specific groups of metals. It also covers the latest research and gives many examples of its application to real samples. The very latest developments in detection techniques are included showing that HPCIC can rival atomic spectroscopic techniques such as ICP-MS. The detailed description of the fundamental principles controlling the separation of trace metals using chelating substrates is unique to this book. It shows how HPCIC differs from the commonly used simple ion exchange techniques and how these chelation characteristics give rise to a much more useful and versatile metal separation system. Readers will also be interested in the analysis of extremely difficult matrices, such as saturated brines, easily achieved by HPCIC but requiring very complex multi column systems using other ion chromatography methods.

Leading researchers discuss the past and present of chromatography

More than one hundred years after Mikhail Tswett pioneered adsorption chromatography, his separation technique has developed into an important branch of scientific study. Providing a full portrait of the discipline, "Chromatography: A Science of Discovery" bridges the gap between early, twentieth-century chromatography and the cutting edge of today's research.

Featuring contributions from more than fifty award-winning chromatographers, "Chromatography" offers a multifaceted look at the development and maturation of this field into its current state, as well as its importance across various scientific endeavors. The coverage includes:

Consideration of chromatography as a unified science rather than just a separation method

Key breakthroughs, revolutions, and paradigm shifts in chromatography

Profiles of Nobel laureates who used chromatography in their research, and the role it played

Recent advances in column technology

Chromatography's contributions to the agricultural, space, biological/medical sciences; pharmaceutical science; and environmental, natural products, and chemical analysis

Future trends in chromatography

With numerous references and an engaging series of voices, "Chromatography: A Science of Discovery" offers a diverse look at an essential area of science. It is a unique and invaluable resource for researchers, students, and other interested readers who seek a broader understanding of this field.

Chromatography is the collective term for a set of laboratory techniques for the separation of mixtures. It involves passing a mixture dissolved in a "mobile phase" through a stationary phase, which separates the analyte to be measured from other molecules in the mixture and allows it to be isolated. Chromatography may be preparative or analytical. The purpose of preparative chromatography is to separate the components of a mixture for further use (and is thus a form of purification). Analytical chromatography is done normally with smaller amounts of material and is for measuring the relative proportions of analytes in a mixture. This new and important book gathers the latest research from around the globe in the study of chomatography and herein highlights such topics as: analysis of veterinary drugs using chromatographic techniques, liquid chromatography for the determination of mycotoxins in foods, chromatography in the research of phenolic secondary metabolites, and others.

High-temperature liquid chromatography has attracted much interest in recent years but has not yet recognized its full potential in the chromatographic community. There is a widespread reluctance in industry to use temperature to speed up the separation process, influence the selectivity of a separation or implement novel detection techniques. However, the technology has now matured and could revolutionize chromatography as we see it today. Better equipment, such as heating systems able to generate faster heating rates, is becoming more readily available. Also, columns based on silica gel, which can withstand higher temperatures for an extended period, are now being introduced. Nevertheless, further technological and methodical efforts are needed to establish the method in a regulated environment like the pharmaceutical industry. This is the only text to cover all the practical aspects, as well as the underlying theoretical principles, of setting up an HPLC system for high temperature operation. It is not intended solely for academics but will also benefit the researcher interested in more practical considerations. The author is a recognized expert and has conducted several studies with partners from industry to validate the method. Many real examples from these studies have been included in the book. The aim is to support practitioners in the creation of their own protocols without the need to rely solely on trial and error. The book starts with a brief definition of high temperature liquid chromatography before going on to cover: system set up; the heating system; mobile phase considerations; suitable stationary phases; method development using temperature programming; analyte stability, and special hyphenation techniques using superheated water as a mobile phase. In each chapter, experimental data is used to illustrate the main statements and the advantages over conventional HPLC are evaluated. The book concludes with a critical outlook on further developments and applications underlining the necessary advances needed to make high temperature HPLC more robust.

The porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and related tetrapyrroles are vital for all living organisms. Natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles are used extensively in foods, cosmetics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medicine. Methods for their separation and characterization therefore, have a very wide area of applications. Yet, there is a dearth of books dedicated to HPLC and HPLC/MS of tetrapyrroles. Lim addresses this problem admirably by providing practical HPLC and HPLC/MS protocols coupled with in-depth chromatographic and mass spectrometric reference data. These are invaluable in the analysis, identification and characterization of porphyrins, chlorophylls, bilins and other related compounds found in biological and clinical materials. HPLC method development and optimization for coupling to mass spectrometry are also described in rich detail. Sample preparation, and suggestions for avoiding procedural artifacts during extraction of clinical and biological samples are discussed. Clinical biochemists involved in biochemical diagnosis of human porphyrias will find this monograph assuredly helpful, as would analysts, biochemists and chemists involved in the separation, isolation and characterization of natural and synthetic tetrapyrroles. Undoubtedly, Lim has contributed a master-piece containing sufficient background material for beginners and up-to-date references for all researchers in the field.