Size Exclusion Chromatography
Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) is the separation technique based on the molecular size of the components. Separation is achieved by the differential exclusion from the pores of the packing material, of the sample molecules as they pass through a bed of porous particles. The principle feature of SEC is its gentle non-adsorptive interaction with the sample, enabling high retention of biomolecular activity.
Gel Filtration and Gel Permeation
For the separation of biomolecules in aqueous or aqueous/organic mobile phases, SEC is referred to as gel filtration chromatography (GFC), while the separation of organic polymers in non-aqueous mobile phases is called gel permeation chromatography (GPC).
Applications
Size exclusion chromatography is used primarily for analytical assays and semi-preparative purifications. It is not commonly used for process scale work due to the low capacity of the size exclusion mode. Tosoh Corporation (Toyo Soda), introduced its first SEC columns in 1973 and has continuously added new column types and instruments since then.
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