Abstract

EVALUATION OF CAPRYLINS BY THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Gabriela Caldas Steinstrasser, Luiz Antonio Gioielli and Michele Vitolo*

ABSTRACT

This work aims to demonstrate the applicability of thin layer chromatography (TLC) coupled with the JustTLC 4.0.3 software for the evaluation of caprylins (mono-, di- and tricaprylin) in concentrated organic extracts obtained from the esterification of glycerol (G) with caprylic acid (CA). Caprylins are medium chain fatty acid acylglycerols with applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Esterification reactions catalyzed by 2.5g of Lipozyme RM IM® or P:1X2-400 (Palatase® immobilized on DOWEX® resin) were conducted at 400 rpm and CA/G molar ratio of 1:1 for 6 h or 10 h. Monocaprylin (50%), dicaprylin (18%) and the total yield (69%) of the esterification catalyzed by Lipozyme IM® were independent of reaction duration. The esterification catalyzed by P:1X2-400 led to a yield of 55% and to the formation of monocaprylin (31%), dicaprylin (24%), and tricaprylin (5%).

Keywords: Thin layer chromatography, monocaprylin, dicaprylin, tricaprylin, caprylic acid.