A method for the estimation of free and esterified cholesterol involving thin-layer chromatography.

A method for the estimation of both free and bound cholesterol in serum and plasma involving thin-layer chromatography has been developed. The serum or plasma is applied as a band directly on the plate. Extraction of lipid material from this band and the chromatographic separation of the above components are carried out on the same plate. The components are extracted from the adsorbent directly with acetic acid and measured colorimetrically using iron(III) chloride-sulphuric acid reagent.