The use of silicalite for rapid isolation of branched and cyclic alkane fractions of petroleum

Abstract In this note we describe a procedure using silicalite sorption for rapidly and conveniently isolating a branched and cyclic fraction of a petroleum suitable for analysis of saturated biomarker components by GC-MS. By examination of m/z 191, 217, 218 and 259 mass chromatograms of silicalite-included fractions, and comparison of 5 A excluded fractions with silicalite-excluded fractions, we have rigorously established that this method is valid for analysis of sterane and hopane biomarker components of petroleum. The method makes possible a one-day turnaround for routine biomarker analysis.