Silver ion thin-layer chromatography of fatty acids. A survey

Silver ion thin-layer chromatography (Ag-TLC) as used for the separation of fatty acids according to the number, configuration, and position of double bonds, is surveyed in this paper. The efficiency of Ag-TLC/gas chromatogra phy for determination of trans-fatty acids in food is emphasized. Described is the possibility for in situ quantification of fatty acids by photodensi tometry. Some aspects of the possible interaction mechanism with silver ion s in relation to recent studies are also discussed.