Partial argentation resin chromatography for separation of polyunsaturated fatty esters

A method for separating compounds in a mixture which comprises a first compound and at least one second compound, wherein said first compound is a polyunsaturated monobasic fatty ester and said at least one second compound is selected from the group consisting of (1) saturated monobasic fatty esters, (2) monounsaturated monobasic fatty esters, and (3) polyunsaturated monobasic fatty esters other than said first compound, the method comprising:

• a. placing said mixture on the bed of a resin chromatography column comprising an argentated macroreticular sulfonic acid ion exchange resin having a degree of argentation within the range of 17-91% of the theoretical amount with the remainder of said resin being in the protonated form;
• b. eluting said mixture through said resin with a suitable solvent whereby said first and second compounds are eluted through said resin at differential rates;
• and
• c. selectively collecting each of said first and second compounds as it is eluted from said resin.