A method for the rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of 4,4-dimethyl sterols.

A simple and relatively rapid technique has been developed for the separation of several 4,4-dimethyl steryl acetates, some of which contain sterically hindered nuclear double bonds. The method involves thin-layer chromatography on silver nitrate-impregnated silica gel and silver nitrate-impregnated alumina. The separated steryl acetates may then be analyzed quantitatively by gas-liquid chromatography.