Separation of [1-3H]cellooligosaccharides by thin-layer chromatography: assay for cellulolytic enzymes

A thin-layer chromatographic method for the separation with high resolution of [1-3H]cellooligosaccharides on silica gel plates has been developed. Reducing end-labeled glucose through cellohexaose were separated on silica gel plates with three ascents of ethyl acetate:water: methanol (40:15:20; v:v) and each was extracted with an efficiency of 88 +/- 3%. Separations of cellooligosaccharides using other adsorbents, solvents, and impregnants are also described. This thin-layer chromatographic method facilitated analysis of the activity of cellulolytic enzymes.