Analysis of triglycerides by consecutive chromatographic techniques. II. Ucuhuba kernel fat

Abstract

Abstract The triglycerides from ucuhuba kernel fat ( Virola surinamensis ) were analyzed using thinlayer adsorption chromatography (TLC) followed by gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC). The triglycerides were first separated into three fractions containing 0, 1, and 2 or more double bonds per molecule on silica gel TLC plates impregnated with AgNO 3 . The total triglycerides and each individual TLC fraction were then analyzed by GLC for the molecular weights of their component triglycerides and for their fatty acid composition. Quantitation of the TLC fractions was achieved by GLC analysis of their fatty acids using an added internal standard and confirmed by solving simultaneous equations derived from GLC analysis of their triglycerides and fatty acids. Application of these combined chromatographic techniques separated the ucuhuba kernel fat into 23 triglyceride components. Trimyristin and laurodimyristin comprised over half the total triglycerides, which was expected since the fat contained 20.0 mole % laurie and 71.3% myristic acids.