Abstract A column chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitative estimation of lactylated glycerides and polyglycerol esters in shortenings. The components are eluted successively with benzene, benzene with 10% ethyl ether, ethyl ether, and ethyl alcohol. Lactylated glycerides eluted along with the corresponding mono- and diglycerides are estimated as lacto-palmitates from their lactic acid content. Polyglycerol esters are quantitatively eluted with ethyl alcohol. Results of analyses of several combinations of emulsifiers in lard and a vegetable shortening yielded recoveries of 94 to 102%.