Variations in the composition of acyl lipids and triacylglycerol molecular species of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp.) following microwave treatment

Whole pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp.) of two cultivars were exposed to microwaves for 6, 12, 20 or 30 min at a frequency of 2450 MHz. The kernels were separated from the whole seeds, and were investigated not only for the different acyl lipids and their fatty acid compositions, but also for the molecular species of triacylglycerols (TAGs). A modified argentation TLC procedure, developed to optimize the separation of the complex mixture of total TAGs, provided 11 different groups of TAGs, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the chain‐length of fatty acid groups. With a few exceptions, dioleopalmitin (5.8–18.8 wt‐%), dipalmitolinolein (8.1–8.8 wt‐%), triolein (6.3–20.5 wt‐%), palmitoleolinolein (15.0–16.1 wt‐%), dioleolinolein (16.7–23.0 wt‐%), dilinoleopalmitin (4.6–15.4 wt‐%) and dilinoleolein (6.7–19.4 wt‐%) were the main TAG components. When pumpkin seeds were microwaved for 20 min or more, significant differences (p <0.05) occurred in the acyl lipids as well as their fatty acid distributions with a few exceptions. Therefore, microwave roasting caused a significant decrease (p <0.05), not only in TAGs molecular species containing more than 4 double bonds, but also in the amounts of diene species present in triacylglycerols. These results contribute to the study of the functional properties of pumpkin seed products.     

Effects of microwave treatment on the oxidative stability of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) oils and the molecular species of their triacylglycerols

Peanut seeds (Arachis hypogaea) were roasted for 6, 12, 20, or 30 min at a frequency of 2450 MHz using a microwave oven. The quality characteristics and the compositions of the oils, i.e. their tocopherol distributions and the molecular species of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) were investigated. These results were compared with those of an unroasted oil sample. Only minor increases (p <0.05) in chemical and physical properties of the oils, such as the carbonyl value, the p‐anisidine value and the color development occurred after a prolonged roasting period. Compared to the original level, more than 92 wt‐% tocopherols remained after 30 min of roasting. A modified thin‐layer chromatography argentation procedure provided 12 different groups of TAGs, based on both the degrees of unsaturation and the total fatty acid chain‐length. Although significant increases (p <0.05) generated in these chemical and physical changes of the oils after 20 min of roasting, no significant loss (p >0.05) was observed in the molecular species of the TAGs during microwave roasting. These results indicate that phospholipids may be attributed to the quality characteristics of peanut oils during microwave roasting.     

Influence of microwave roasting on positional distribution of fatty acids of triacylglycerols and phospholipids in sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.)

Whole sunflower seeds were exposed to microwave roasting for 6, 12, 20 or 30 min at a frequency of 2450 MHz. The kernels were then separated from the sunflower seeds, and the lipid components and the positional distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols (TAGs) and phospholipids (PLs) were investigated. Major lipid components were TAGs and PLs, while steryl esters, free fatty acids and diacylglycerols were also present in minor proportions. The greatest PL losses (p < 0.05) were observed in phosphatidyl ethanolamine, followed by phosphatidyl choline or phosphatidyl inositol. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in fatty acid distributions occurred (with few exceptions) when sunflower seeds were microwaved for 20 min or more. Nevertheless, the principal characteristics for the positional distribution of fatty acids still remained after 20 min of microwave roasting; unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic, were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2‐position and saturated fatty acids, especially stearic and palmitic acids, primarily occupied the sn‐1‐ or sn‐3‐position. These results indicate that no significant changes in fatty acid distribution of TAGs and PLs would occur within 12 min of microwave roasting, ensuring that a good‐quality product would be attained.     

The content of tocopherols and oxidative quality of oils prepared from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds roasted in a microwave oven

Sunflower seeds ((Helianthus annuus were roasted for 6, 12, 20 or 30 min at a frequency of 2450 MHz using a domestic microwave oven. After the kernels were separated from the sunflower seeds, the quality characteristics and the compositions of the oils were investigated in relation to their tocopherol distributions, and they were further evaluated as compared with an unroasted oil sample. Only minor increases (p < 0.05) in chemical and physical changes of the oils, such as the carbonyl value, the p‐anisidine value and the color development, occurred at a prolonged roasting period. Significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in the amounts of phospholipids in the oils after microwave roasting. Nevertheless, compared to the original level, more than 92 wt‐% tocopherols still remained after 30 min of roasting. With a few exceptions, these results indicate that the exposure of sunflower seeds to microwaves for 12 min caused no significant (p < 0.05) loss or change in the content of tocopherols and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the kernels.     

Lipid classes,fatty acid composition and triacylglycerol molecular species of kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Seed oils from five legume cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris, grown in Japan, were extracted and classified by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) into seven fractions: hydrocarbons (HC; 0.7–1.4 wt‐%), steryl esters (SE; 1.7–3.3 wt‐%), triacylglycerols (TAG; 33.8–45.9 wt‐%), free fatty acids (FFA; 0.6–1.5 wt‐%), sn‐1,3‐diacylglycerols (1,3‐DAG; 0.3–1.0 wt‐%), sn‐1,2‐diacylglycerols (1,2‐DAG; 0.4–1.2 wt‐%) and phospholipids (PL; 49.4–58.8 wt‐%). Fatty acids derivatized as methyl esters were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and a flame ionization detector. Molecular species and the fatty acid distribution of TAG isolated from the total lipids in the beans were analyzed by a combination of argentation‐TLC and GC. A modified argentation‐TLC procedure, developed to optimize the separation of the complex mixture of total TAG, provided 18 different groups of TAG, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the total length of the three acyl chains of fatty acid groups. SDT (3.2–4.2 wt‐%), M₂T (3.8–5.0 wt‐%), D₃ (4.8–5.9 wt‐%), MDT (8.0–13.9 wt‐%), D₂T (12.5–15.8 wt‐%), MT₂ (19.4–22.7 wt‐%), DT₂ (17.8–23.5 wt‐%) and T₃ (9.2–13.0 wt‐%) were the main TAG components. The dominant fatty acids of TAG were α‐linolenic (48.5–57.8 wt‐%) and linoleic (16.7–25.8 wt‐%) acids, with appreciable amounts of palmitic (8.3–13.2 wt‐%) and oleic (7.8–13.8 wt‐%) acids. The high content of α‐linolenic acid in the cultivars of P. vulgaris could very likely play a beneficial role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease among the large populations consuming them in Japan.     

Characteristic profiles of lipid classes,fatty acids and triacylglycerol molecular species of peas (Pisum sativum L.)

Seed oils from four legume cultivars of Pisum sativum, grown in Japan, were extracted and classified by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) into seven fractions: hydrocarbons (HC; 0.5–0.9 wt‐%), steryl esters (SE; 0.8–2.4 wt‐%), triacylglycerols (TAG; 31.2–40.3 wt‐%), free fatty acids (FFA; 1.3–2.7 wt‐%), 1,3‐diacylglycerols (1,3‐DAG; 1.0–1.8 wt‐%), 1,2‐diacylglycerols (1,2‐DAG; 1.0–2.2 wt‐%) and phospholipids (PL; 52.2–61.3 wt‐%). All lipid samples had high amounts of total unsaturated fatty acids, representing 75.0–84.3 wt‐% for TAG and PL. Molecular species and fatty acid distributions of TAG, isolated from the total lipids in the peas, were analyzed by a combination of argentation‐TLC and GC. Eighteen different molecular species were detected. With a few exceptions, the main TAG components were SMD (7.5–10.3 wt‐%), M₂D (8.0–8.9 wt‐%), SD₂ (12.0–18.3 wt‐%), SMT (9.8–11.0 wt‐%), MD₂ (12.0–20.3 wt‐%), SDT (9.7–10.8 wt‐%), M₂T (2.5–7.3 wt‐%) and D₃ (14.5–15.2 wt‐%) (where S denotes a saturated fatty acid, M denotes a monoene, D denotes a diene, and T denotes a triene). It seems that the four cultivars were highly related to each other based on the fatty acid composition of the TAG as well as the distribution profiles in the different TAG molecular species. In general, these results suggest that there are no essential differences (p >0.05) in the oil components among the four cultivars.     

Microwave roasting and molecular species of triacylglycerols in soybean embryonic axes

Embryonic axes were separated from soybeans roasted in a microwave oven. Molecular species and fatty acid distributions of triacylglycerols (TAG) isolated from total lipids in the embryonic axis were analyzed by a combination of argentation thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas-liquid chromatography. A modified argentation-TLC procedure, developed to optimize the separation of the complex mixture of total TAG, provided 15 different groups of TAG, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the total length of fatty acid groups. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis was performed to determine the composition of each band. Fifteen molecular species of TAG were still found in the embryonic axes following roasting treatment. Microwave roasting for 6 min did not change the molecular species of the embryonic axis TAG (with a few exceptions), nor cause a loss of unsaturated fatty acids. However, microwave roasting for 12 min caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) not only in molecular species containing more than four double bonds but also in the amount of diene and triene species present in TAG. These results suggest that no significant changes in molecular species or fatty acid distribution of TAG would occur within 6 min of microwave roasting, ensuring that a good quality product would be attained.     

Analysis of triacylglycerols in refined edible oils by isocratic HPLC‐ESI‐MS

A simple, fast and reproducible reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) for the analysis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) species in the commercial edible oils has been developed. The TAGs species were separated using isocratic 18% isopropanol in methanol and a Phenomenex C18 column. The ESI‐MS conditions were optimized using flow injection analysis of standard TAG. Fifteen, fourteen, and sixteen TAGs were separated and identified in corn oil, rapeseed oil, and sunflower oil, respectively. The presence of intense protonated molecular (M + H⁺), ammonium (M + ${\rm NH}_{4}^{ + } $ ), and sodium (M + Na⁺) adducts ions and their respective diacylglycerols ions in the ESI‐MS spectra showed correct identification of TAGs. Some minor potassium adducts (M + K⁺) were also found. In addition, the identity of the fatty acid, position of each fatty acid, and the location of the double bond in the fatty acid moiety were explained. It was found that this isocratic method is useful for fast screening and identification of triacylglycerols in lipids.     

Virgin sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is the second most important virgin oil in Europe but, from the nutritional point of view, the assessment of this oil has become increasingly poorer over the last few years because of the high amount of linoleic acid in traditional sunflower seeds. Today sunflower oil with a high oleic acid content is coming more into the focus of interest since the fatty acid composition is more comparable to rapeseed and olive oil. Another important aspect is that the high content of oleic acid results in a high oxidative stability, making this oil interesting for a wide range of applications. A special challenge is the production of high‐quality tasty virgin sunflower oil because, in contrast to other raw materials, about 30% of sunflower seeds consist of hulls that are covered by waxes. During oil processing these waxes are co‐extracted with the oil, resulting in undesired turbidity of the oil on storage. Pressing of the raw material is done in a screw press or expeller and results in residue fat contents between 7 and 15% depending on the pressing conditions. We discuss two possibilities to avoid or to remove waxes by dehulling of the seeds or winterisation of the resulting oil. Dehulling is carried out by an impact dehuller with removal of the hulls by airflow and gravity. Removal of hulls before pressing improves the sensory quality of the oil because it results in products with a mild sunflower seed‐like nutty taste, while oils from whole seeds often have a woody and bitter taste. In addition, the development of heat during pressing is reduced if dehulled seeds are used for oil production. Conventional sunflower seeds are processed mainly in big oil mills, whereas in small and medium‐sized facilities organic raw material is in use.     

Positional distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols and phospholipids from adzuki beans (Vigna angularis)

The fatty acid distributions of triacylglycerols (TAG) and major phospholipids (PL) obtained from adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) were investigated. The total lipids extracted from the beans were separated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) into eight fractions. The major lipid components were PL (63.5 wt‐%), TAG (21.2 wt‐%), steryl esters (7.5 wt‐%) and hydrocarbons (5.1 wt‐%), while free fatty acids, diacylglycerols (1,3‐DAG and 1,2‐DAG) and monoacylglycerols were also present in minor proportions (0.2–1.1 wt‐%). The major PL components isolated from the beans were phosphatidylcholine (45.3 wt‐%), phosphatidylethanolamine (25.8 wt‐%) and phosphatidylinositol (21.5 wt‐%). Phosphatidylinositol was unique in that it had the highest saturated fatty acid content among the three PL. With a few exceptions, however, the principal characteristics of the fatty acid distribution in the TAG and three PL were evident in the beans: Unsaturated fatty acids were predominantly concentrated in the sn‐2 position while saturated fatty acids primary occupied the sn‐1 or sn‐3 position in the oils of the adzuki beans. In general, these results could be useful to both consumers and producers for the manufacture of traditional adzuki foods in Japan.     

Triacylglycerol composition of Pinus koraiensis seed oil

The triacylglycerol (TG) composition of Pinus koraiensis seed oil, which contains Δ5 nonmethylene-interrupted (NMI) fatty acids (FA) (the main acid is pinolenic, 18:3 Δ5, 9, 12), was determined. TG were preliminarily separated by argentation thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and the obtained fractions were analyzed by high-temperature gas chromatography (GC) on a capillary column with methyl phenyl silicone phase. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of TG was applied. The FA composition of all TG fractions was identified. The identification of TG was carried out by combining TLC, GC, HPLC, and calculated equivalent carbon numbers of TG standards. The TG species identification was confirmed by comparison of the theoretical recalculated and directly analyzed FA compositions of all TLC fractions of TG. Species of TG with unsaturation degrees of 1 to 7 and trace amounts of saturated and octaenoic TG species were found. Except for minor compounds, 26 TG molecular species of 32 main components were quantitatively determined. The main species were oleoyl dilinoleoylglycerol (14.7%), dilinoleoyl pinolenoylglycerol (10.7%), palmitoyl oleoyl linoleoylglycerol (8.3%), triolein (7.6%), and dioleoyl, linoleoylglycerol (7.4%). Seven TG species contained Δ5 NMI acyl groups. Of these, the major were dilinoleoyl pinolenoyglycerol (10.7%), stearoyl linoleoyl pinolenoylglycerol (6.5%) dioleoyl, pinolenoylglycerol (5.4%), and palmitoyl linoleoyl pinolenoyl-glycerol (5.5%). TG species with two or three NMI acyl groups were not detected.     

Changes in the structure of soybean triacylglycerols due to heat

Commercially refined soybean oil was heated at 180 C for 50, 70 or 100 hr with aeration. The triacylglycerol fractions separated from the oils by column chromatography on silica gel were fractionated further by silicic acid thin layer chromatography (TLC), and species compositions were determined by argentation TLC and lipase hydrolysis. There was a decrease in the absolute amounts of the triacylglycerols with longer heating periods, such as 21% for 50 hr and 42% for 100 hr. Relatively large changes occurred in the proportion of the molecular species of the triacylglycerols during heating; there was an increase in the more saturated species, 1–4 double bonds, and a decrease in species containing 5–7 double bonds. Although these changes occurred in the percentage of each triacylglycerol species, the positional distribution of the fatty acids in the 2-position remained virtually unchanged throughout heating. Oleic and linoleic acids were commonly found in the 2-position of the acylglycerol moiety, whereas most of the palmitic and stearic acids favored esterification in the 1- and 3-positions. The results indicate that unsaturated fatty acids located in the 2-position are protected significantly from thermal oxidative decomposition.     

Molecular species of phosphatidyl ethanolamine from egg yolk

Phosphatidyl ethanolamine was isolated from total egg yolk lipids by preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC). The purified phosphatide contained 3% of the alkoxy derivative. It was degraded to diglycerides in the presence of purified sphingomyelin by phospholipase C fromClostridium welchii. The diglycerides were acetylated and resolved on the basis of unsaturation by argentation TLC. The fatty acid composition of the original phosphatidyl ethanolamine and the derived acetates was determined by gas chromatography, as was the molecular weight distribution of the diglyceride acetates. The placement of the fatty acids in the parent phosphatide was deduced by hydrolysis with phospholipase A fromCrotalus atrox, and in the acetates with pancreatic lipase. Some 33 major species of phosphatidyl ethanolamine were identified and compared to those for egg yolk lecithins. Presented in part at the Canadian Federation of Biological Societies Meeting, Kingston, June 1968.     

Antioxidant Distributions and Triacylglycerol Molecular Species of Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum)

Extracted lipids from sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds of three varieties were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for endogenous antioxidants. The molecular species and fatty acid (FA) distribution of triacylglycerol (TAG) isolated from total lipids in sesame seeds were analyzed by a combination of argentation thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography (GC), and were investigated in relation to their antioxidant distribution. γ-Tocopherol was present in highest concentration, and δ-, and α-tocopherols were very small amounts. Sesamin and sesamolin were the main lignan components. A modified argentation-TLC procedure, developed to optimize the separation of the complex mixture of total TAG, provided 12 different groups of TAG, based on both the degree of unsaturation and the total acyl-chain length of FA groups. With a few exceptions, the major TAG components were SM₂ (6.5–6.7%), SMD (19.8–20.7%), M₂D (15.0–26.3%), MD₂ (23.6–35.0%), and D₃ (7.7–10.7%) (where S denotes a saturated FA, M denotes a monoene, D denotes a diene, and T denotes a triene). It seems that the three varieties were highly related to each other based on the FA composition of the TAG as well as the distribution pattern in the different TAG molecular species. These results suggest that there are no essential differences in the oil components among the three varieties.     

Characterization of triacylglycerols in the seeds ofAquilegia vulgaris by chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods

A combination of analytical techniques is generally necessary to properly characterize complex lipid materials. Chromatographic separation in conjunction with spectroscopic characterization was utilized for the analysis of the triacylglycerols in the seeds ofAquilegia vulgaris. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), micropacked argentation supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), and combinations of the two techniques were used. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of the picolinyl esters and by gas chromatography/flame-ionization detection of the methyl esters. The major components were also identified by direct inlet mass spectrometry. The excellent selectivity of packed fused silica argentation SFC for the separation of triacylglycerols was demonstrated.     

Microwave roasting and phospholipids in soybeans (Glycine max. L.) at different moisture contents

The effects of microwave roasting on phospholipids in soybeans were investigated in relation to moisture. Whole soybeans at different moistures (9.6, 38.2, and 51.9%) were roasted by exposure to microwaves at a frequency of 2,450 MHz. During microwave treatments, the lower the moisture content, the higher was the internal temperature in soybeans at the end of microwave roasting. Total lipids were extracted from the beans after microwave treatment, and the phospholipids were separated with thin-layer chromatography. Phosphatidylcholine was the principal phospholipid in the extracted lipids from all unroasted and roasted bean samples. After microwave roasting, phospholipids containing an amino group, especially phosphatidylethanolamine, decreased substantially (P<0.05) in lower-moisture soybeans. However, increasing the moisture content depressed a rise in the internal temperature of soybeans and prevented a reduction in phospholipids and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the phospholipids. Based on the changes in the composition and fatty acid distribution of phospholipids in soybeans during microwave roasting, it is necessary to consider the moisture content in soybeans when roasting in a microwave oven.     

Microwave roasting effects on the physico-chemical composition and oxidative stability of sunflower seed oil

The purpose of the present study was to explore the influences of microwave heating on the composition of sunflower seeds and to extend our knowledge concerning the changes in oxidative stability, distribution of FA, and contents of tocopherols of sunflower seed oil. Microwaved sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L.) of two varieties, KL-39 and FH-330, were extracted using n-hexane. Roasting decreased the oil content of the seeds significantly (P<0.05). The oilseed residue analysis revealed no changes in the contents of fiber, ash, and protein that were attributable to the roasting. Analysis of the extracted oils demonstrated a significant increase in FFA, p-anisidine, saponification, conjugated diene, conjugated triene, density, and color values for roasting periods of 10 and 15 min. The iodine values of the oils were remarkably decreased. A significant (P<0.05) decrease in the amounts of tocopherol constituents of the microwaved sunflower oils also was found. However, after 15 min of roasting, the amount of α-tocopherol homologs was still over 76 and 81% of the original levels for the KL-39 and FH-330 varieties, respectively. In the same time period, the level of σ-tocopherol fell to zero. Regarding the FA composition of the extracted oils, microwave heating increased oleic acid 16–42% and decreased linoleic acid 17–19%, but palmitic and stearic acid contents were not affected significantly (P<0.05).     

Changes in the structure of soybean triglycerides during maturation

Soybeans of the Hawkeye variety were picked at eleven periods from 30 to 111 days after flowering and extracted with chloroform-methanol. The triglyceride fraction of five pickings, selected 35 to 91 days after flowering (when synthesis of lipid was most active), were isolated by silicic acid thin layer chromatography (TLC) and species composition determined using argentation TLC and lipase hydrolysis. The triglyceride content of the total lipid increased from 6.5% at 30 days after flowering to 85% in the mature bean (111 days). The major changes in fatty acid composition of the triglycerides occurred during the first 52 days after flowering. During this period linolenic acid decreased from 34.2% to 11.7%, the percentages of linoleic and oleic acids increased, stearic remained fairly constant and palmitic decreased slightly. Large quantitative changes occurred in the molecular species of the triglycerides of the bean during maturation; some triglycerides containing linolenic acid could not be detected approximately 66 days after flowering. Although changes occurred in the percentage and amount of each triglyceride species, the positional distribution of fatty acids remained virtually unchanged throughout maturation. Linolenic acid was distributed fairly uniformly between the β-position and the α-positions, linoleate favored esterification in the β-position, and oleate the α-positions. Most of the stearic and palmitic acids were esterified in the α-positions. The consistency of the positional arrangement of the fatty acids indicated that the mode of glyceride synthesis was established very early during maturation and molecular species composition was controlled by the fatty acids available for synthesis.     

Composition of neutral lipid classes and content of fatty acids throughout sourdough breadmaking

Broa is an example of bread that is a good candidate for inclusion in functional diets, so it deserves further in‐depth study of its chemical composition—namely with regard to evolution of the lipid profile throughout breadmaking, in order to assess whether mixing, fermentation, or baking affect its nutritional value (in terms of unsaturated fatty acids, UFA) based on the assumption that neutral lipids (NL) can be protein‐ or carbohydrate‐bound. Hence, constituent fatty acids in NL of maize (Zea mays) and rye flour (Secale cereale), and in sourdough and final broa manufactured from a mixture therefrom were quantitated. Methodologies of esterification of fatty acids, as well as of transesterification of acyl lipids and sterol esters (SE) were improved. The n‐hydrocarbons containing between 4 and 24 carbon atoms were then resolved and identified by gas–liquid chromatography. Regarding total neutral lipids (TNL) in all samples, 79–89% were TAGs, and 87–93% were TAGs and DAGs in the case of free lipids (FL). Furthermore, 73–85% of TNL in bound lipids (BL) and 65–80% of TNL in starch lipids (SL) were TAG and free fatty acids (FFA). Conversely, only 4–5%, 6–16%, and 7–10% of TNL in FL, BL, and SL, respectively, were SE and MAGs. TAGs and DAGs underwent partial hydrolysis during fermentation and baking; palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were dominant as products released. The nutritional value of broa lipids was apparent owing to their proportions of SE (4%) and DAG (9%), coupled with 52% of linoleic acid in all samples—as well as to the high contents of polyunsaturated versus monounsaturated or saturated fatty acids, and to the general dominance of UFA.     

Argentation chromatography on silver sulfamate-impregnated silica gel layers

Silver sulfamate was used in place of silver nitrate as argentation and charring reagent in thin layer chromatography (TLC). This reagent permits thin layer chromatographic separations of fatty acid esters with differing degrees of unsaturation as well as ofcis/trans isomeric fatty acids, and allows for direct charring of fractions. Examples given for separations on silica gel plates impregnated with silver sulfamate include cholesterol esters and fatty acid methyl esters.