Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a widely used chromatography technique to separate chemical compounds. It involves a stationary phase consisting of a thin layer of absorbent material, usually silica gel, alumina or cellulose immobilised onto a flat, inert carrier sheet. A liquid phase consisting of the solution to be separated dissolved in a solvent is drawn through the plate via capillary action, separating the experimental solution. It can be used to determine the pigments a plant contains, to detect pesticides or insecticides in food, in forensics to analyse the dye composition of fibres, or to identify compounds present in a given substance, among other uses