Polar conjugates thin-layer chromatography

The thin layer chromatography technique, now more than 30 years old, continues to deserve its reputation as a preparative tool for the isolation of polar conjugates. Reasons for its continuous popularity include that it is easy to use, the technique is fast, the excellent predictihility of the results from analytical runs, the low price of the equipment, and the high resolution of the method. 

Early investigations of flavanols in biological samples relied on colorimetric measures of polyphenol content [87] or thin-layer chromatography to assess the presence of specific metabolites [60,62]. Because it is difficult to separate the polar conjugates chromatographicaUy, they are typically hydrolyzed to release the free forms, which are subsequently analyzed. Acid had been used to hydrolyze the conjugates, but there is ample evidence of flavanol degradation by acid treatment, so enzymatic treatment is essential. 

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