Books
A Historical View of Chromatography
Techniques and Practice of Chromatography Raymond P. W. Scott Marcel Dekker Cimarron Rd. Monticello, NY 12701 1995, 387 pp.. $85
This book is the 70th volume of the generally excellent Chromatographic Science Series. This particular contribution upholds the tradition of quality publications; however, it represents a departure in some ways from the multi-author monographs usually seen in the series. The author intended this book to be "a text that will introduce scientists of all disciplines to the chromatographic process and explain how it functions." The author achieves this goal with some omissions and some important extensions. The positive aspect, and perhaps the most appealing feature of the book, is the historical perspective provided by an eminent chemist who has been intimately involved in the development of various types of chromatography for more than four decades. On the other hand the weakness of this historical view is its omission of several current topics such as SFC and CE which would certainly be of interest to most contemporary scientists SFC is superficially dismissed as either GC or LC depending on the pressure and CE is not even mentioned The author seems to subscribe to the premise that two international symposia 370 A
held in 1958 and 1960 represent the apex of the development of chromatographic, especially GC, technology. Thus, the bulk of citations in the book refer to these two symposia, adding to the historical aspect of the work and rightly acknowledging the originators of many of the techniques we take for granted today. However, it is doubtful that most, if any, practicing chromatographers would subscribe to the author's original premise. The book is divided into four main sections: I. The Chromatographic Process; II. Gas Chromatography; III. Liquid Chromatography; and IV. Thin-Layer Chromatography. Section I includes an excellent discussion of the history of various types of chromatography, retention mechanisms, peak dispersion processes, and qualitative and quantitative analyses. Each section is subdivided into chapters on instrumentation, detectors and mobile and stationary phases, and contains a series of illustrations of the practical applications of the three addressed by the author. The author is true to his intent in the area of mathematical and theoretical discussion. The causes of peak spreading are discussed in terms of the classical van Deemter approach but without distracting mathematical details. The same is true for the discussion of intermolecular forces and their crucial role in the various types of chromatography. Excellent discussions and practical advice are provided for the selection of stationary and mobile phases, as well as the exact type of chromatography needed to accomplish a separation. This discussion is closely coordinated with the chapters on the practical applications of chromatography. These chapters are unusual for this type of book and represent strong and weak points of the presentation. The examples will provide direction for scientists entering the field with particular prob-
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, June 1, 1996
lems in mind. However, the adage "If you've seen one chromatogram, you've seen them all" is also pertinent in this case. Chromatograms accompanied by detailed experimental conditions do not make for very exciting reading. Finally, one of the privileges of authorship is the right to pontificate on occasion. Scott uses his opportunity to warn against the false gods of overly sophisticated, especially computer-controlled, instrumentation. This problem is particularly irksome to the author if the instrumentation was obtained with taxpayer funds. This praiseworthy opinion leads to the concluding, always timely, homily, "It is the integrity of the result that is important not the technique that provides it." Reviewed by Jon F. Parcher, University ofMississippi
BOOKS RECEIVED
Laboratory Techniques in Electroanalytical Chemistry, 2nd ed., Revised and Expanded Peter T. Kissinger and William R. Heineman, Eds. Marcel Dekker Cimarron Rd. Monticello, NY 12701 1996, 986pp,, $79.75
This book, which is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of electroanalytical chemistry for those who use it in the laboratory, eliminates the often unnecessary jargon and extensive mathematics often found in such texts. The contributed chapters emphasize analytical, mechanistic, kinetic, and synthetic application; potentiometry is intentionally omitted. The text follows a logical sequence from principles to methodology to applications. A 26-page subject index is included.
Nonlinear Computer Modeling of Chemical and Biochemical Data James F. Rusling and Thomas F. Kumosinski Academic Press 525 B St., Suite 1900 San Diego, CA 92101-4495 1996, 268 pp., $64.95
The authors present computer-modeling techniques, such as nonlinear regression analysis, in a way that most chemists can understand. Chapters 1-4 introduce the reader to nonlinear regression analysis; chapters 5-14 address computer modeling of chemical data in applications such as NMR, IR, electrochemistry, and chromatography. A subject index is included. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry in Pharmaceutical Analysis Sándor Görög CRC Press 2000 Corporate Blvd., N.W. Boca Raton, FL 33431 1995, 391 pp., $131.95
This book, intended for practicing analysts in pharmaceutical chemistry, addresses the uses of UV-vis as a simple spectrometric method and as a detection method for other techniques. Each chapter contains extensive literature references. Infrared Spectroscopy of Biomolecules Henry H. Mantsch and Dennis Chapman, Eds. John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1996, 359 pp., $89.95
molecules in their natural environment. The 12 contributed chapters cover topics such as the spectroscopy of nucleic acids, lipids, biomembranes, and intact bacterial cells. Each chapter contains an extensive reference list, and a subject index is included.
tended to serve as a guide for practicing chromatographers by explaining the background of SFC and helping them devise methods for individual applications. The book includes information on instrumentation, mobile- and stationary-phase chemistry, and specific applications. A subject index is included.
Enzyme Immunoassays: From Concept to Product Development
Supercritical Fluid Extraction
S. S. Deshpande Chapman & Hall 115 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10003 1996, 464 pp.. $110
Larry T. Taylor John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1996, 181 pp., $49.95
This book is intended to provide practical information on the successful development of commercial diagnostic enzyme immunoassay products. The first section discusses basic concepts of antibodies and the enzymes used in immunoassays. The second part of the book examines the actual industrial product development process, from conception to market introduction. Also discussed are the importance of good laboratory and manufacturing practices and the international requirements for ISO 9000 certification. The book concludes with a chapter outlining points for entrepreneurs to consider if venturing into their own start-UD company
Supercritical fluid extraction allows laboratories to reduce the use of halogenated solvents while extracting samples more quickly and efficiently and improving the accuracy of their results. This book is intended to provide analytical chemists, technicians, and laboratory managers with the information they need to develop methods for their extraction needs. The book covers topics such as the properties of supercritical fluids and strategies for and applications of supercritical fluid extraction.
Packed Column SFC T. A. Berger Royal Society of Chemistry Turpin Distribution Services, Ltd. Blackhorse Road, Letchworth Herts SG6 1HN United Kingdom 1995, 251 pp.. $85
This book deals with the relatively new technique of packed-column supercritical This book is intended to demonstrate the fluid chromatography, which the author power of IR spectroscopy for studies of bio- believes has redefined SFC. It is in-
Biosensors in Analytical Biotechnology Ruth Freitag, Ed. R. G. Landes 909 Pine St. Georgetown, TX 78626 1996, 198 pp., $69.95
This book is intended for researchers in the field of biotechnology. The eight contributed chapters are written by researchers at the University of Hannover (Germany). Sample topics include immunosensors, on-line monitoring of animal cell cultivations, and flow injection analysis. A subject index is included.
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