CAMAG®
TLC Scanner 4

The CAMAG TLC Scanner 4 is a state-of-the-art densitometer designed for the precise evaluation of TLC and HPTLC chromatograms.

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In a nutshell

Advanced quantitative analysis for Precise Results

The CAMAG TLC Scanner 4 offers exceptional precision in measuring absorbance and fluorescence on TLC and HPTLC plates, providing an accurate densitogram for each track (sample) on the plate and a UV-VIS spectrum for any detected peak of the densitogram. It captures compound reflections in absorption or fluorescence modes to generate spectrally selective “Peak Profiles from Densitometry”.

For fluorescence measurements at 366 nm, the TLC Scanner 4 is equipped with advanced mercury-free LED excitation technology. The LED source provides immediate operational readiness, long service life, and high stability of excitation intensity while eliminating the environmental and handling concerns associated with mercury-containing lamps.

An upgrade kit is available to convert existing TLC Scanner 4 systems equipped with a mercury lamp to the new LED excitation technology, providing a straightforward path to modernize installed instruments.

Covering a wide spectral range of 190–900 nm, it supports both UV and visible light detection by single or multi-wavelength scans, ensuring high versatility and sensitivity across various analytes.

All functions of the TLC Scanner 4 are controlled by visionCATS software. The LED-equipped system integrates seamlessly into the visionCATS software environment. For customers upgrading from mercury lamp to LED excitation, CAMAG recommends verification of method performance and, where required, revalidation according to the applicable regulatory and quality requirements.

Powered by visionCATS 4.2 SP or higher HPTLC software
Measurement of reflection, either in absorbance and/or fluorescence
New mercury-free LED excitation for fluorescence detection at 366 nm
Immediate operational readiness with no LED warm-up time
Long-life LED technology with reduced maintenance requirements
LED Upgrade Kit available for conversion of existing TLC Scanner 4 systems
Spectral range from 190 to 900 nm
Any plate format up to 20 x 20 cm
Spectra recording up to 100 nm/s
Compliance with cGMP/GLP and 21 CFR Part 11

high-precision quantitative evaluation

Advanced Software Integration: The visionCATS HPTLC software seamlessly integrates with the TLC Scanner 4, providing an intuitive platform for data acquisition, analysis, and reporting. It enables the automatic execution of multiple scanning and evaluation steps.
Versatile Detection Capabilities: The TLC Scanner 4 can operate in both UV and visible light spectrums, covering a broad wavelength range from 190 to 900 nm. This versatility allows the detection of various types of substances, expanding the scope of analysis to more complex samples.
Multi-Wavelength and Multi-Step Evaluation: The combination of the TLC Scanner 4 and visionCATS allows for multi-wavelength scanning and multi-step evaluations. Users can analyze a plate under different conditions, such as before and after derivatization, or at multiple wavelengths, enhancing the ability to differentiate and quantify closely related or co-eluting substances.
Data Integrity and Regulatory Compliance: visionCATS is designed with compliance in mind, meeting the standards required in regulated environments, including GLP and GMP settings. Its built-in security features ensure data integrity, audit trails, and traceability, which are essential for laboratory environments that need to comply with industry regulations.

Catalog-CAMAG®-HPTLC-Software-visionCATS-home

HOW IT WORKS

easy and intuitive operation

CAMAG TLC Scanner 4_HPTLC-Software-visionCATS_definition

Definition: In the first step, the substances to be analyzed and their concentration in the reference vials are defined. The quantity applied of each reference will be calculated from the application volume and the defined concentration.

CAMAG TLC Scanner 4_HPTLC-Software-visionCATS_integration

Integration: If required, the peak detection is configured, based on profiles issued from the execution of a scanner step.

Substance assignment: When the substances and the peaks are defined, they have to be associated. For a substance assigned to a peak belonging to a reference application, the height or the area of the peak is associated with the quantity applied.

Calibration: For a given substance and for the reference tracks, the set of couples (quantity applied, height or area of the peak) are projected on an XY plan, and a regression algorithm is used to find an appropriate regression curve for these reference points. Peaks coming from sample tracks also have a height (and an area). The regression algorithm calculates the quantity of the substance applied in the sample.

Results: A summary of the quantified amounts/concentrations of each substance in the sample(s) is displayed. The quantity of substance applied in each sample application computed during the calibration, associated with the applied volume, gives the estimated concentration of each searched substance in each sample vial concerned.

Software Features

Scanner Ultimate Package

Quantification

Users can select from five quantification functions to precisely determine the concentration of each substance on the plate. A single analysis file can include up to five evaluation steps, covering various plate conditions.

Multi Wavelength Scan

Different compounds may absorb or fluoresce more strongly at specific wavelengths. Multi-wavelength scanning allows the detection of a broader range of compounds on the same plate, ensuring more precise identification and quantification.

Spectrum Scan

Spectrum Scan allows to measure the spectrum of each substance on the plate and to assess its purity by comparing it to a reference standard.

Hardware insights

THE OPTICAL SYSTEM

Any of the three light sources, LED lamp, deuterium lamp, or halogen-tungsten lamp can be positioned in the light path by a motor drive. (1)
The signal of the measuring photomultiplier is continuously offset against the signal of the reference photomultiplier. (4 and 5) This compensates for lamp aging and short-time fluctuations. It also reduces the warm-up time required to reach lamp stabilization.
All components of the optical system, lamps, monochromator, scanning stage, and photomultiplier are mounted on one sturdy metal support. This ensures high precision of the detector signal.
For scanning at wavelengths below 200 nm it is advisable to flush the monochromator with nitrogen. The TLC Scanner 4 is equipped to do this.
A monochromator bandwidth of 5 nm or 20 nm can be selected. 5 nm bandwidth is used for spectra recording, multi-wavelength scanning, and when spectral selectivity is required. (2) 20 nm bandwidth offers higher light intensity (improves the signal to noise ratio and thus the reproducibility of the measurement) and enables measurement of several fractions with slightly different absorption maxima in one scan.
The lens system with 190 – 900 nm transmission range features automatic positioning for micro and macro slit sizes. This ensures that the light energy available with small slits in the micro position is almost the same as that for the corresponding slit in the macro position, which is four times larger. (3)
The light beam strikes the object at right angle. The photomultiplier is aligned at an angle of 30°. (5)

NEW FEATURE

Spectrum Library

visionCATS (from version 4.1 on) introduces the Spectrum Library feature, along with three specialized libraries, offering significant benefits for HPTLC users in pharmacognosy, forensic science, and pharmaceutical quality control. This enhancement enables users to compare UV spectra obtained from the TLC Scanner 4 with a carefully curated library, improving analysis accuracy and efficiency.

Key Benefits

Faster, More Accurate Identification

Quickly compare unknown samples with reference spectra for precise compound identification. A well-maintained spectrum library streamlines this process, reducing analysis time and enhancing reliability.

Efficient Data Interpretation

Eliminate the need for manual spectrum analysis. With the help of Pearson correlation-based comparison, analysts can rapidly interpret results, making HPTLC analysis more efficient than ever.

Reliable Detection of Adulteration & Contaminants

Easily identify counterfeit drugs, adulterated herbal products, or impurities in pharmaceutical and dietary supplements. For example, the Pharmaceuticals Library can detect synthetic drugs in supplements—such as spotting theophylline with a correlation factor of 0.988.

Accelerated Research & Development

Researchers can leverage a comprehensive reference database to identify active compounds in medicinal plants or develop new formulations. The Phytochemicals Library further simplifies classification by helping users determine the phytochemical class of an unknown zone.

Easy identification of unknown compounds

Available Libraries

Forensics

UV spectra of 388 substances, including:

Chemical warfares
Explosives

Download List

Phytochemicals

UV spectra of 222 substances

Download List

Pharmaceuticals

UV spectra of 369 substances

Download List

Technical specifications

General data

Light sources
- Deuterium lamp, usable continuum 190 – 450 nm
- Halogen-tungsten lamp, usable continuum 350 – 900 nm
- LED, 366 nm
Change-over between the light sources is done automatically.
Monochromator

Concave holographic grating, 1200 lines/mm, bandwidth selectable 5 or 20 nm, wavelength range 190–900 nm; monochromator driven by step motor, reproducibility of wavelength setting better than 0.2 nm, accuracy better than 1 nm; connector for flushing with nitrogen. Maximum speed of spectra recording 100 nm/s.
Secondary filter

Motor-driven filter wheel with three automatically selected filters (320 nm, 540 nm, 790 nm) for the elimination of second order wavelengths, 400 nm cut-off filter for fluorescence measurements and three empty positions for user selected filters

(optional filters: 340 nm, 360 nm, 440 nm, 460 nm, 500 nm, 560 nm)
Scanning slit

42 fixed, software selected slit length: 0.2 – 12 mm and slit width: 0.1 – 1.2 mm
Detector

Two matched broadband photo multipliers, multi alkali type, spectral sensitivity 185 – 900 nm
Stage drive

Independent in both directions by step motors, micro step driven for smooth movement; reproducibility of positioning better than 50 μm in Y-direction, better than 100 μm in X-direction; maximum scanning speed 100 mm/s
Power connection

115 V and 230 V selectable; 50/60 Hz; maximum energy use 180 W
A/D converter

16 bit, 2-channel A/D converter, 100 ms per double conversion
Connections

RS-232 serial port
Dimensions (W x D x H)

590 x 650 x 367 mm
Weight

39 kg

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CAMAG®
TLC Scanner 4

Advanced quantitative analysis for Precise Results

high-precision quantitative evaluation

easy and intuitive operation