Chromatographic separation and identification of myo-inositol phosphates

Procedures for the separation and purification of the phosphate esters of myo-inositol arising from hydrolysis of phytin are described. Preliminary fractionation, based on the solubility of the barium salts in water and in alcohol, is followed by adsorption on an anion-exchange resin and linear gradient elution with neutral NaCl solution. A spectrophotometric method is described for differentiating between the various myo-inositol phosphates and their isomers by oxidation with periodate. The chromatographic behavior of the phosphate esters in six solvent systems is recorded.