Some contributions to the thin-layer chromatographic analysis of complex natural phospholipid and neutral lipid mixtures.

We have isolated a minor phosphatidyl ethanolamine component from pancreas and a minor phosphatidyl choline component from retina, which were revealed by their separate thin-layer chromatographic properties on silica gel and aluminum oxide sheets, respectively. We have described in some detail a number of modifications in thin-layer chromatography methodology which enhances the opportunity for assessing the glycerophospholipid and neutral lipid composition of tissues, as attested by a diverse set of examples, and have pointed out some of the associated technical problems.