Separation and identification of menaquinones from microorganisms

Simple thin-layer chromatographic procedures are outlined for the separation, isolation, and characterization of a complex of lipophilic naphthoquinones. Procedures are also described for the quantitative recovery of naphthoquinones from thin-layer plates. The general usefulness of the described methods is demonstrated by their application in the analysis of menaquinones from several microorganisms. The methods allow distinction between menaquinones varying in side-chain length, degree of saturation, and geometry, as well as in the presence or absence of ring methyl groups.