Glass paper chromatography and elatography of triglycerides.

A degree of reverse phase separation of triglycerides can be obtained with ascending chromatography on uncoated glass paper using a pyridine: water solvent system. The same R values result when silica gel coated paper is used. To extend the usefulness of this separation, the glyceryl esters are converted to methyl esters in situ using sodium methoxide. This permits, on silica gel coated paper, glyceryl ester separation in one dimension, eslatography to the methyl esters, and methyl ester separation in the second dimension. In mixtures of lipids such as serum extracts, the lipid groups may be separated in one dimension and the fatty acid methyl esters in the second dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]