Chromatogr. 5, 191-193 (1957) (Sepu). TLC of nonionic surfactants with different hydrophobic groups and polyethylene glycols of different molecular weight on silanized silica with methanol - water 8:2 and 7:3. Detection by iodine vapor. Quantification by densitometry.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 6, 70-73 (1993). TLC of non-ionic surfactants (e.g. nonylphenyl ethylene oxide oligomers) according to the length of the ethylene oxide chain on aluminum oxide with chloroform - acetonitrile mixtures. The optimum separation of pairs of surfactant oligomers with the longest ethylene oxide chains required eluents of the highest strength (highest acetonitrile concentration).

Acta Chrom. 17, 272-291 (2006). TLC on silica gel with 0.1 M glutamic acid – methanol – acetone 1:1:1 has been found to be highly suitable for separation and identification of cationic and non-ionic surfactants. Visualization by use of Draggendorf reagent or iodine vapour. Spectro-photometric determination of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide at 670 nm after the spot extraction. The method has been used for identification of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and Triton TX-100 in saline water, river water, and domestic waste water. The effects of sample pH, polarity of the alcohol and nature of the amino acid in the mobile phase, and the presence of alumina, kieselguhr, or cellulose in the silica gel layer have been examined.

J. Chromatogr. Sci. 46 (4), 298-303 (2008). HPTLC of three surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), on silica gel with 5 % aqueous thiourea - acetone - methanol 3:1:1. Evaluation of the effect of the carbon chain length of alcohols (methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, and n-butanol) on the mobility of these surfactants. The comparative study was performed with sulfur- (thiourea) and oxygen- (urea) containing compounds in the eluent. Investigation of the interference on the resolution of the mixture of CTAB, DTAB, and Tween 20, due to presence of metal cations as impurities.

Analyst 112, 433-436 (1987). Description of a technique for the identification of compounds separated by HPTLC using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) without any extraction procedure between the two analysis steps. Discussion of the advantages of smaller samples, shorter analysis time and less opportunities for contamination to occur than with conventional extraction methods. Identification of surfactants in mixed systems. Detection of amine antioxidants in gas oils at levels below 20 ng/µL.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 5, 103-117 (1992). TLC of over one hundred and fifty surfactants in six TLC systems; compilation of a retention data base to facilitate identification of surfactants in commercial cleaners. Scanning densitometry was used to record the reflectance spectra of the UV-absorbing compounds. Rapid and inexpensive TLC method for differentiation and characterization of surfactants.

J. of Chromatogr. A 1281, 135-141 (2013). The use of detergents for the extraction, solubilization and purification of membrane proteins (MPs) is necessary due to their hydrophobic nature. Detergent quantification is essential to routine analysis because the concentration of amphiphiles is crucial in the crystallization process. HPTLC of detergents (in small quantities, bound to solubilized MPs) on silica gel with dichloromethane – methanol – acetic acid 80:19:1. The optimum HPTLC conditions were investigated using n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (DDM), the most popular detergent for membrane protein crystallization. Quantification by fluorescence measurement at 366 nm using a Hg lamp. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 100-1600 ng of DDM in water and the limit of detection of was 50 ng/zone, which is the best LOD achieved to date for a routine detergent assay (not modified by the addition of NaCl, commonly used in protein buffers). In comparison with other techniques (colorimetry, GC, and FTIR) the HPTLC method has the advantage of no prior sample treatment for concentration or extraction, and no chemical labeling is required. In comparison with TLC, the HPTLC method is 100 times more sensitive. The HPTLC method is suitable for routine analysis, assay results are obtained within 3 hours and only few microliters of sample are needed.

Anal. Biochem. 164, 307-314 (1987). TLC on silica with chloroform - methanol - water 78:21:1.