Rapid separation of free sterols by reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography

The separation of eight common, structurally closely related sterols on C8 and C18 reversed‐phase columns with UV‐detection at 206 nm is described. Good separation was obtained in less than 18 min on the C18 column using methanol‐water as mobile phase and a column temperature of 30 C. Except for brassicasterol and cholesterol, the sterols also were readily separated on the C8 column. Applications of the method on sterols from natural sources are described.