Analysis of Neutral Lipids, Phospholipids, Glycolipids, and Total Lipids by High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a technique of planar chromatography that is routinely used to separate and identify lipid classes. The solutes in the samples applied on the lower edge of an HPTLC plate and carried by the mobile phase traveling through the plate are separated according to their polarity and their interactions with the stationary phase. The separated solutes are derivatized and visualized by specific or nonspecific staining reagents and finally identified and if possible quantified by comparison with standard compounds. In this chapter, we describe the first materials, chemicals, preparation of solvent mixtures (eluents), and derivatization solutions needed for HPTLC analysis of lipids. Then, we present the common steps for HPTLC analysis whatever the specific application while emphasizing lipid analysis. Finally, we detail five protocols, requiring one-step, two-step, or three-step development for the analysis of neutral lipids (2 protocols), phospholipids (1 protocol), glycolipids (1 protocol), and neutral lipids–phospholipids (1 protocol) from various food materials.