A time-saving thin-layer chromatography plate-scraping system

A system for efficiently scraping thin-layer chromatography plates is described. A height-adjustable rack for holding the thin-layer chromatography plate is constructed of transparent acrylic plate. The base provides a surface on which to slide vial holders and also gives stability to the rack. The plate is scraped with a single-edge razor blade cut to an appropriate width and the scrapings fall into a polypropylene funnel which sits on a vial that is in either a test tube rack or a cassette from a scintillation counter. The plate-scraping system reduces scraping time by more than 60% and increases the accuracy of results.