Multidimensional chromatographic analysis method and analysis system

A system for analyzing multiple components, comprising one or more chromatography units each comprising a column, a mobile phase introducer and a detector, a chiral chromatography unit comprising a chiral column, a mobile phase introducer and a detector, a flow channel, a flow channel switching unit, one or more reservoirs, and a controller, wherein:

• (i) the controller drives the chromatography units so as to separate and detect multiple components in a sample to obtain a chromatogram;
• (ii) the controller determines the point of initial rise from baseline and the point of full return to baseline for the chromatographic peaks corresponding to the one or more components in the chromatogram;
• (iii) the controller drives the flow channel switching unit so as to successively introduce the fraction corresponding to the point of initial rise from baseline until the point of full return to baseline, into the one or more reservoirs;
• (iv) if the peak from the point of initial rise from baseline until the point of full return to baseline consists of a single peak, the process continues to the next step, or if the peak from the point of initial rise from baseline until the point of full return to baseline includes multiple peaks, the controller drives the flow channel switching unit, for introduction from one reservoir to a different chromatography unit than the previously used chromatography unit, and steps (i) to (iv) are repeated;
• (v) the controller drives the flow channel switching unit so as to introduce the fraction corresponding to a single peak from the point of initial rise from baseline until the point of full return to baseline, into the chiral chromatography unit;
• and;
• (vi) the controller drives the chiral chromatography unit so as to separate and detect an optical isomer in the fraction in which complete separation of a single component has been achieved, and obtain a chromatogram.