Abstract High-performance thin-layer chromatography with multi-detection, comprising chemical and effect-directed detections, has been scaled down. The latest open-source 2LabsToGo-Eco has successfully merged the instrumental capabilities of two laboratories into a miniaturized, all-in-one system. Using it, not only known but also unknown hazardous or beneficial compounds can be discovered in complex samples. The do-it-yourself concept of the open-source 2LabsToGo-Eco affords traceability of the necessary improvements made. Its operation was sped up by integrating the latest operating system, Debian 13, the newest Python web framework, Django 5, and the comparatively faster single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi 5. After successfully resolving the challenges related to the system modifications, the software’s proper functioning was demonstrated and verified through 2LabsToGo-Eco analysis of 13 cannabidiol-containing oils, which showed red zones for cannabinoids detected after derivatization with the Fast Blue B salt reagent. Loading the software tabs and saving the methods was impressively fast.
Schwack et al. (2026) studied this question.