Chromatography of unusual lipids on thin layers of magnesium oxide.

The chromatographic behavior of some minor components of natural lipids was studied using layers of magnesium oxide and of commercial adsorbents containing magnesium oxide. The lipids investigated included wax esters, cholesteryl esters, diester waxes, and esters, ethers and ether-esters of ethanediol and glycerol. Pronounced differences were found in the patterns of separation of certain lipids on magnesium oxide as compared to silica gel and Florisil. The procedures described afford means for the detection of unusual lipids in natural materials, and their isolation.