Improved Method for Thin-Layer Chromatographic Resolution and Photodensitometric Assessment of the Major Classes of Phospholipids

Abstract

Thin-layer chromatography and photodensitometry were used to resolve and quantitate trace levels of the major phospholipid classes. A solvent system of chloroform/methanol/ethyl acetate/40% methyl amine (20/20/20/10; v/v) resolved the phospholipids. After spraying with 10% CuS0₄ in 10% H₃P04 and charring, photodenstiometric assesments were reliably achieved with as little as lOOng of phospholipid. To illustrate the ease and reliability of the methodology, analyses of various biological materials are presented.