Assay for triacylglycerol lipase by a rapid thin-layer chromatographic technique

A rapid and accurate assay for lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of radioactively labeled triacylglycerols has been developed. Aliquots of reaction mixtures are applied directly, i.e., without extraction of the lipolysis products, to thin-layer chromatography plates coated with Silica Gel H containing 5% Na2CO3 (w/w), heated for 10 sec, and developed with diethyl ether-methanol 97:3 (v/v) to a height of 4-5 cm. About 98.5% of the fatty acids are immobilized as sodium salts at the origin of the chromatogram, whereas tri-, di-, and monoacylglycerols migrate close to the solvent front. Adsorbent at the origin and that at the remaining part of the chromatogram are then assayed for radioactivity without prior staining.