Comparison of Mobile Phases and Detection Reagents for the Separation of Triacylglycerols by Silica Gel, Argentation, and Reversed-Phase Thin Layer Chromatography

Triacylglycerol standards and TGs from lard, egg yolk, and the planorbid snail Biomphalaria glabrata were examined using TLC with various layers, solvent systems, and detection reagents. The three types of thin-layer chromatography plates used were plain silica gel, silica gel plates impregnated with AgNO3, and reversed-phase C-18 plates. The best solvents found were isopropyl alcohol-chloroform (1.5:98.5) for plain and silver-loaded silica gel TLC, and acetonitrile-methyl ethyl ketone-chloroform (50:35:15) for reversed-phase TLC. The best detection reagents were found to be phosphomolybdic acid for plain silica gel TLC and reversed-phase TLC, and 50% sulfuric acid for argentation TLC.