What Will Be Used

Selected Method:

REVERSE PHASE HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY 

Comparison Table

 

Ultimately, we have chosen Reverse Phase HPLC as it is available in the school lab and hence, is within our means to conduct the experiment. In the school lab, we have access to both the UV Spectrophotometer and HPLC machine. However, the UV Spectrophotometer is unable to give very conclusive results due to the lack of uniqueness in its spectrum and its intolerance to multi-component samples. This will bring inaccuracies to our analysis as coffee is a multi-component sample. Although the extraction of caffeine will be done in the most careful manner, there would still be a uncertainty that there might still be residues of other compounds left behind. This will affect our analysis. On the other hand, HPLC will be able to separate the other impurities from the sample and hence still allow an accurate detection and quantification of caffeine in our sample. 

  

Although RP-HPLC is more complex than other easier methods such as Voltammetry, it is able to provide us with better and more accurate results for our objective because it has lesser concerns regarding the collection of results. 

Compared to another excellent and powerful analytical tool like GC-MS, we have chosen RP-HPLC over it because of our ability to interpret and use the tool. GC-MS is a highly sophisticated tool that might require a more experienced personnel to carry out the experiment. Hence, the RP-HPLC would be a better option for us to carry out our analysis.  

In consideration of our ability to carry out the analysis, resources that are available to us as well as the quality of results that the analytical method can provide, we have decided to go ahead with RP-HPLC.