Abstract
In this work, improved detection of selected steroids on silica coated TLC plates using post‐run derivatisation with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) was investigated. Particularly, spot visualization of ergosterol, stigmasterol, dihydrocholesterol, 4‐cholesten‐3‐one, cholecalciferol, and cholesterol acetate was studied. It has been found that the quantitative effect of PMA dyeing is strongly time and temperature dependent. Contrary to the data reported in literature, our experimental work revealed that the best conditions for robust detection of analytes investigated can be expected if the silica coated chromatographic plates are heated within a relatively low temperature region, between 40 and 80°C and for more than 20 minutes.
Acknowledgment
The experimental work was partially supported by Ministry of Education and Science, Poland (Grant No 2P04G 107 29).