The separation of fatty acid methyl esters (including “critical pairs”) by thin-layer partition chromatography

Abstract The separation of critical pairs of fatty acid methyl esters has been carried out by thin-layer partition chromatography, complete separation of linolenate and laurate, linoleate and myristate, and almost complete separation of oleate and palmitate being achieved. The chromatograms took about twenty minutes to develop. A detecting agent was used which gives different coloured spots for saturated and unsaturated methyl esters.