Mannosylerythritol Lipid and Ustilagic Acid Analysis Using Thin-Layer Chromatography

Secondary metabolites produced by Ustilago maydis, like mannosylerythritol lipids and ustilagic acid, are usually secreted together, leading to a glycolipid mixture. This makes it difficult to distinguish which compounds are present in the mixture or not. Here, a simple and fast approach for analysis of mannosylerythritol lipids and ustilagic acid using thin-layer chromatography is shown, enabling the separation and visualization of those from the mixture. A step-by-step protocol from the induction of such glycolipid synthesis in U. maydis over the isolation and their separation via thin-layer chromatography is presented.