Thin layer chromatography of inositol phosphates and inositol in humic and fulvic acid fractions

As a simpler identification method for inositol phosphate and inositol, thin layer chromatography was used instead of paper partition chromatography. The conditions and procedures were as follows. 1. A mixture of six inositol phosphates (from inositol mono- to hexaphosphate) gave one spot on a thin layer plate when developed with a mixture of acetone and 30% acetic acid (4 : 6, v/v). The spot was clearly separated from sugar phosphates and inorganic phosphate.2. Six inositol phosphates were clearly separated from one another when a mixture of methanol, water, ammonia, and acetic acid (50 : 30 : 15 : 5, v/v) was used.3. Four inositol isomers were clearly separated from one another and from sugars by using 70% aqueous acetone as a developing agent.4. These procedures were useful for separating a mixture of inositol phosphates and inositol in humic and in fulvic acid fractions extracted from soil.