Pharmaceutical analysis is an important subject for Bachelor of Pharmacy students preparing for the Nepal Pharmacy Council licensing examination. It covers analytical techniques used for the identification, separation, purification, and quantitative determination of pharmaceutical substances.
This article contains 100 Pharmaceutical Analysis MCQs with answers and short explanations. The questions cover important topics such as chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ion-exchange chromatography, size-exclusion chromatography, and related analytical concepts.
Important: These are educational practice questions prepared for examination revision. They should not be considered an official Nepal Pharmacy Council question paper unless officially published by the Council.
Pharmaceutical Analysis MCQs 1–100
1. Thin-layer chromatography is also called:
A. Flat-bed chromatography
B. Planar chromatography
C. Paper chromatography
D. Both A and B
Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: TLC is a planar chromatographic technique and is commonly described as planar or flat-bed chromatography.
2. Which of the following can be used as a binder in TLC plate preparation?
A. Calcium sulfate
B. Starch
C. Both A and B
D. Cellulose
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: Binding agents can be incorporated into TLC adsorbent layers to improve adhesion of the stationary phase to the support.
3. The average particle size of silica gel commonly used in TLC is approximately:
A. 15 µm
B. 60 µm
C. 100 µm
D. 50 µm
Answer: B. 60 µm
Explanation: Conventional TLC commonly uses silica particles in the tens-of-micrometres range.
4. Which is used as an inorganic fluorescent indicator in TLC?
A. Silica gel
B. Zinc silicate
C. Calcium sulfate
D. Cellulose
Answer: B. Zinc silicate
Explanation: Fluorescent indicators incorporated into TLC plates allow certain compounds to be visualized under ultraviolet light.
5. The thickness of the adsorbent layer for preparative TLC is generally:
A. 0.5–2 mm
B. 0.1–0.2 mm
C. 0.2–0.25 mm
D. 1–2 µm
Answer: A. 0.5–2 mm
Explanation: Preparative TLC uses a thicker adsorbent layer so that larger quantities of separated substances can be recovered.
6. Chromatography was first developed by:
A. Mikhail Tswett
B. Egon Stahl
C. Ismailov
D. Nernst
Answer: A. Mikhail Tswett
Explanation: Mikhail Tswett is credited with developing early forms of adsorption chromatography for separating plant pigments.
7. In normal-phase chromatography, the stationary phase is generally:
A. Polar
B. Non-polar
C. Acidic only
D. Gaseous
Answer: A. Polar
Explanation: Normal-phase chromatography generally uses a polar stationary phase such as silica and a relatively less-polar mobile phase.
8. In reversed-phase chromatography, the stationary phase is generally:
A. Polar
B. Non-polar
C. Ionic only
D. Gaseous
Answer: B. Non-polar
Explanation: Reversed-phase chromatography commonly uses a non-polar bonded stationary phase such as C18 with a relatively polar mobile phase.
9. Which of the following can be used as an adsorbent in chromatography?
A. Kieselguhr
B. Hexane
C. Water
D. None
Answer: A. Kieselguhr
Explanation: Kieselguhr, also called diatomaceous earth, can be used as a solid support or adsorbent material in chromatographic applications.
10. Which is generally considered a weak adsorbent?
A. Magnesium oxide
B. Activated alumina
C. Activated silica
D. Sucrose
Answer: D. Sucrose
Explanation: Adsorbents differ in their adsorption strength. Sucrose is comparatively weak compared with commonly used strong adsorbents.
11. Which is a strong adsorbent?
A. Magnesium oxide
B. Activated alumina
C. Insulin
D. Sucrose
Answer: B. Activated alumina
Explanation: Activated alumina is a commonly used polar adsorbent in chromatographic separation.
12. The stationary phase in ion-exchange chromatography is:
A. Ion-exchange resin
B. Adsorbent only
C. Molecular gel only
D. Immiscible liquid
Answer: A. Ion-exchange resin
Explanation: Ion-exchange chromatography uses resins containing charged functional groups that reversibly exchange ions with the mobile phase.
13. A commonly used adsorbent-to-sample ratio in column chromatography is approximately:
A. 20:1
B. 30:1
C. 50:1
D. 1:50
Answer: C. 50:1
Explanation: The required adsorbent-to-sample ratio depends on the separation and sample characteristics. Higher ratios may improve separation.
14. In many chromatographic systems, the mobile and stationary phases should be:
A. Completely miscible
B. Chemically incompatible
C. Distinct phases with appropriate interaction
D. Both gases
Answer: C. Distinct phases with appropriate interaction
Explanation: Chromatographic separation depends on differential interaction of analytes with the stationary and mobile phases.
15. Chromatography based on molecular size is called:
A. Adsorption chromatography
B. Partition chromatography
C. Size-exclusion chromatography
D. Ion-exchange chromatography
Answer: C. Size-exclusion chromatography
Explanation: Size-exclusion chromatography separates molecules mainly according to their effective molecular size and access to pores in the stationary phase.
16. The particle size of stationary phase commonly used in column chromatography is approximately:
A. 800–900 µm
B. 500–600 µm
C. 60–80 µm
D. 60–200 µm
Answer: D. 60–200 µm
Explanation: Conventional column chromatography can use relatively coarse particles compared with modern HPLC packing materials.
17. In column chromatography, which compound is generally eluted first?
A. The compound with less affinity for the stationary phase
B. The compound with greater affinity for the stationary phase
C. The compound with no affinity for the mobile phase
D. All compounds elute simultaneously
Answer: A. The compound with less affinity for the stationary phase
Explanation: A compound that interacts weakly with the stationary phase moves more rapidly through the column.
18. The Rf value in planar chromatography is calculated as:
A. Distance travelled by solute / distance travelled by solvent front
B. Distance travelled by solvent / distance travelled by solute
C. Both A and B
D. None
Answer: A. Distance travelled by solute / distance travelled by solvent front
Explanation: Rf is the ratio of the distance travelled by the analyte spot to the distance travelled by the solvent front.
19. Which of the following can act as an adsorbent in chromatography?
A. Insulin
B. Activated magnesia
C. Magnesium carbonate
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Explanation: Certain magnesium-containing solids can function as adsorbents depending on the chromatographic system.
20. Chromatographic separations based on differences in partition characteristics are called:
A. Adsorption chromatography
B. Partition chromatography
C. Ion-exchange chromatography
D. Gel-permeation chromatography
Answer: B. Partition chromatography
Explanation: Partition chromatography separates substances according to their distribution between two phases.
Related Pharmaceutical Analysis Resources
If you are preparing for the Nepal Pharmacy Council examination, you may also find these related study resources useful:
Nepal Pharmacy Council Model Questions with Answers – Part 1
Nepal Pharmacy Council Model Questions with Answers – Part 2
Nepal Pharmacy Council Model Questions – Part 3
For another important area of pharmaceutical laboratory practice, read HPLC Calibration Parameters and Procedures. This can help you understand the practical aspects of HPLC analysis beyond MCQ preparation.
You can also review Quality Control Tests of Tablets in the Pharmaceutical Industry to revise important pharmaceutical quality-control concepts.
For pharmaceutical quality-system concepts, see CAPA in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
Tips for Preparing Pharmaceutical Analysis
While solving MCQs, focus on understanding the principles behind each answer instead of memorizing the answer choice alone. Pay particular attention to chromatographic principles, stationary and mobile phases, detectors, Rf values, retention, column efficiency, and common analytical techniques.
Students should also use standard pharmaceutical analysis textbooks and current official references when preparing for examinations because analytical procedures, terminology, and regulatory requirements can change.
Conclusion
Pharmaceutical analysis is an important part of pharmacy education because analytical techniques are used to establish the identity, purity, strength, and quality of pharmaceutical substances and products. Regular MCQ practice can help students revise important concepts in chromatography and instrumental analysis before examinations.
These 100 Pharmaceutical Analysis MCQs are intended as a revision resource. Students should use them together with standard textbooks and authoritative references rather than relying on MCQs alone.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and examination-preparation purposes only. The questions are practice material and are not claimed to be an official Nepal Pharmacy Council question paper. Always verify important technical and regulatory information using current authoritative sources.
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