Quantitative analysis of phospholipids and phospholipid fatty acids from silica gel thin-layer chromatograms

Abstract

An improved procedure for the quantitative assay of phospholipids separated by TLC is described, in which a specially washed Silica Gel H and a newly designed chromatography unit are employed.Analysis of phospholipid phosphorus and phospholipid fatty acids was accomplished in the presence of silica gel scraped directly from the chromatoplates. Recovery of phosphorus ranged from 96 to 100%.The washing of the Silica Gel H with chloroform–methanol–formic acid resulted in extremely low phosphorus blanks on the silica gel, and also removed impurities which were found to cause various peaks on GLC.

Keywords

• thin-layer chromatography
• phospholipids
• phosphorus determination
• fatty acid composition
• saturation chamber
• impurities