TLC screening techniques for the qualitative determination of natural and synthetic capsaicinoids.

Three TLC methods of qualitative screening of capsicum products are described. A procedure using a two-dimensional reversed phase system and bromination of the sample gave the greatest flexibility but required the longest time. A one-dimensional reversed phase system using silver ion to complex with the unsaturated components is also described. Polyamide plates using silver ion in the developing solvent gave the greatest speed of the three methods compared.