Direct quantitative thin-layer chromatographic determination of prostaglandins A2, B2, E2 and F2 alpha

A direct method for the determination of prostaglandins (PG) A2, B2, E2 and F2 alpha by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is described. The TLC development is carried out on silica gel 60 F254 plates so that PGA2, PGB2 and PGE2 can be directly determined together by chromatogram spectrodensitometry using the reflection method. PGE2 must be converted into pgb2 so that it can be measured at lambda max. 224 nm and after conversion into PGB2 by spraying with potassium hydroxide solution. PGF2 alpha is measured after spraying with methanolic sulphuric acid and subsequent heating at lambda max. 530 nm. The method of determination described here is characterized by a short analysis time and good accuracy, and it is therefore suitable for quality control and stability investigations with these prostaglandins. The coefficient of variation is plus or minus 3.5 percent.