Chromatographic separation of the alkaline hydrolysis products of shellac

Abstract

The methyl ester-trimethylsilyl ethers of the alkaline hydrolysis products of Super Blonde Shellac were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. The results were compared with the thin-layer chromatographic and column chromatographic patterns of different fractions, analysed as the methyl esters. The main hydroxy fatty acid of shellac, viz., threo-aleuritic acid, was completely separated from the terpene acids and a separation of some of the terpene components was achieved on a 3% SE-30 column. The terpene acids were also analysed on a column of 15% EGSS-X and 1% HI-EFF-8 BP with essentially similar results. The hydrolyzate is complex and a number of components are yet to be identified in the pure state, accounting for the numerous gummy fractions obtained in column chromatography.