I am trying to identify fatty acids removed from cell fractions by a sucrose gradient. The fraction samples came to me in TNE buffer (but I later found out that the samples contained sucrose). I isolated the lipids and methylated them using a TMG method as usual. I believe the sucrose is interferring with the removal of some of the fatty acids that I want to analyse. Could any body recommend a way to remove this sucrose from the samples before I isolate the lipids?

Isolate the lipids with immiscible solvent such as petroleum ether, which will leave the sucrose behind.