Summary
The quantification of short chain fatty acids in their free form, by gas chromatography, is the method of choice provided that the underivatized acids elute with good peak shape and reproducibility. In biological samples not only the highly polar acids themselves but also deposits of nonvolatile sample components may interact with the column or the packing material. As a result, the peak symmetry of the fatty acids and their reproducibility can become increasingly poor. Reduction of the nonvolatile matrix components by filtration of the sample has been examined in order to achieve direct analysis of the short chain fatty acids in intestinal samples by packed column GC. Membrane filter units (0.8 μm) allow a quick and simple filtration of the samples. This pretreatment reduces the peak tailing and the broadening of the peaks. The method, when applied to different intestinal samples, allowed the quantification of short chain fatty acids in hundreds of samples without derivatization. Good results are obtained at sample concentrations higher than 0.2 mmol l−1 for each acid.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M. Burgaut, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Vol.86 B, 439 (1987).
J. H. Cummings, Lancet,1, 1206 (1983).
V. C. Mason, Proceedings of the Nutritional Society43, 45 (1984).
J. J. W. Czerkawski, G. Breckenridge, B. J. Nutr.42, 217 (1979).
R. A. Argenzio, C. E. Stevens, Proceedings of the Nutritional Society43, 13 (1984).
W. E. W. Roediger, Gut21, 799 (1980).
W. J. Chen, J. W. Anderson, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med.175, 215 (1984).
K. E. Bach Knudsen, B. Borg Jensen, Proc. Vth International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, Pudoc Wageningen, 389 (1991).
F. X. Roth, B. Eckel, M. Kirchgessner, U. Eidelsburger, J. Anim. Physiol. a. Anim. Nutr.67, 148 (1992).
P. E. V. Williams, C. J. Newbold, Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, 211. London: Butterworths (1990).
J. V. d. Meulen, J. G. M. Bakker, Proc. Vth International Symposium on Digestive Physiology in Pigs, 440 (1991).
M. H. Henderson, T. A. Steedman, J. Chromatogr.244, 337 (1982).
W. W. Christie, in: Gas Chromatography and Lipids: A Practical Guide. The Oily Press, Scotland (1989).
R. F. Fussell, D. V. McCalley, Analyst112, 1213 (1987).
W. Welz, W. Sattler, E. Malle, J. Chromatogr.,526, 319 (1990).
G. C. Cochrane, J. Chromatogr. Sci.13, 440 (1975).
J. P. Ryan, Anal. Biochem.108, 374 (1980).
C. A. Hordijk, J. Burgers, G. J. M. Phylipsen, T. E. Cappenberg, J. Chromatogr.511, 317 (1990).
W. Böttcher, Arch. Tierernährung32, 287 (1982).
D. V. McCalley, J. High Res. Chromatogr.12, 465 (1989).
W. Sanders, Application Note 228–225, Hewlett-Packard Co (1993).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schäfer, K. Analysis of short chain fatty acids from different intestinal samples. I: By packed column gas chromatography. Chromatographia 39, 706–712 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02274587
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02274587