Silicic acid thin-layer chromatography of conjugated and free bile acids

The separation of free bile acids, taurine conjugates, and glycine conjugates from one another was achieved by thin-layer chromatography, using a solvent system of isopropanol glacial acetic acid 93:7 in a solvent system of hexane-methylethylketone-glacial acetic acid 56:36:8 (v/v), it was possible to separate cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, and lithocholic acids. Application to a biological bile sample was demonstrated.