Chinese Medicine 10, 13 (2015). Samples were root and rhizome extracts of Panax notoginseng (Araliaceae), either raw or in the form of commercial granules. Standards were ginsenosides Rg1, Rb1, Rd, Re and Rg2, notoginsenoside NR1. TLC on silica gel with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 15:40:22:9, followed by 10 min air drying. Derivatization for ginsenosides by immersion into sulfuric acid (10 % in ice cold methanol), followed by 10 min air drying and 5 min heating at 100 °C. Quantification by densitometric fluorescence measurement (deuterium and tungstene lamp, 366 nm). For each standard the linear range was 0.05-1 mg/mL (LOQ comprised between 38 and 431 µg/µL). As NR1 and Re (ratio ca. 2:1) had almost the same hRF, they were quantified together as one substance. Multivariate analysis through hierarchical (HCA) and principal component analyses (PCA) was used to order the samples into two clusters, according to the analyte concentrations, the raw plant extracts being richer than most of the commercial products. This TLC method was compared to quantification through UPLC-PDA (Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with photo diode array), which was more sensitive (LOQ between 10 and 49 µg/µL) but did not allow the separation between Rg1 and Re (ratio ca. 6:1).

Chinese Medicine 7, 12 (2012). TLC of a Soxhlet hydro-ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes lobata leaves (Cucurbitaceae) on silica gel with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 7:3. Derivatization with anisaldehyde – sulfuric acid reagent. The presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins was found.

Chinese Medicine 16, 98 (2021). Preparative TLC on silica gel for the isolation of bisbakuchiol N (a terpenophenolic) from a cyclohexane extract of Psoralea corylifolia (= Cullen corylifolia, Fabaceae) mature fruits, after fractionation on silica gel, cyclodextrane and reverse-phase columns. Mobile phase was petroleum ether – chloroform 10:1. Derivatization with sulfuric acid (10 % in ethanol – water, 19:1).

Marine Drugs 19(3), 161 (2021). Samples were a standard mix (tripalmitin, palmitic acid, cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine) and lipid-enriched extracts of zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio, Cyprinidae), that were anesthetized with tricaine after having being treated with 11 extracts of cyanobacteria strains and/or with a green fluorescent lipid analogue of fatty acids (BODIPY-C16, bore-dipyrromethene derivative). HPTLC on nano silica gel in 3 steps: 1) and 2) with chloroform – methanol – water 12:6:1 (twice up to 4 cm); 3) hexane – diethyl ether – acetic acid 160:40:3 (once up to 9 cm). Derivatization of lipids by spraying primuline solution (0.01 % in acetone – water, 3:2). Quantification based on fluorescence peak area intensity, was performed using image software on pictures taken through a green fluorescence imager. Triglycerides were decreased in the case of larvae treated with 2 extracts of Synechocystis strains (Merismopediaceae), but the levels of other lipid classes were not affected. No treatment significantly affected the incorporation of BODIPY-C16 into any of the lipid classes of the larvae.

Food Chem. 408, 135253 (2023). HPTLC of genotoxic compound zones in 33 oils on silica gel with chloroform - ethanol 5:1, up to 20 mm, then with n-hexane - diethyl ether 2:1, up to 40 mm, and finally with n-hexane - toluene 1:2 up to 60 mm. Detection in white light, UV 254 nm and 366 nm. Genotoxicity bioassay by spraying with Salmonella suspension with or without the S9 mixture (fraction from phenobarbital/β-naphthoflavone-induced lyophilized rat liver strain), followed by incubation at 37 °C for 3 h. The plate was dried and FDG (fluorescein di(β-D-galactopyranoside)) was sprayed, followed by incubation at 37 °C for 15 min. Cytotoxicity bioassay by spraying with MTT solution (0.2 % in phosphate buffer) after incubation with the Salmonella culture, followed by analysis under white light. Confirmative detection of aliphates was performed via a reagent sequence on the same plate by spraying with 1) Rhodamine 6B reagent, followed by detection in UV 366 nm and 2) phosphomolybdic acid reagent, followed by heating at 120 °C for 10 min, and documented at white light illumination.

Food Chem. 134184 (2023). HPTLC of 45 berry cultivars belonging to the nine species strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, gooseberry, cape gooseberry, chokeberry, and goji berry on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid - water 15:30:5:3. Detection by dipping into a 0.5 % solution of 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate in ethyl acetate, followed by drying and dipping into a 5 % solution of PEG 400 in dichloromethane. Qualitative analysis under UV light at 366 nm. 

Food Chem. 133108 (2022). HPTLC of 135 baobab samples (Adansonia digitata) from different agroecological regions on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - methanol - formic acid - water 60:50:25:3:5. Detection by dipping into aniline diphenylamine o-phosphoric acid reagent, p-amino benzoic acid reagent, or p-anisaldehyde sulfuric acid reagent, followed by heating at 120 °C for 5 min. Qualitative analysis under UV light at 254 nm. fluorescence detection at 366 nm and white light illumination. 

Marine Drugs 20(12), 757 (2022). Samples were ethyl acetate macerates and diethyl ether Soxhlet extracts from invasive Caulerpa cylindracea and non-invasive C. lentillifera (Caulerpaceae), as well as caulerpine (bisindole alkaloid) as standard isolated from one of the extracts. TLC on silica gel with petroleum ether – diethyl ether 1:1. Quantitative evaluation by densitometry at 330 nm, quantification of caulerpine (hRF 41, LOD 20 ng/zone, LOQ 68 ng/zone). The concentrations of caulerpine in C. cylindracea extracts (96-112 µg/g) were higher than in C. lentillifera (0-8 µg/g).