Analysis of short chain fatty acids from different intestinal samples. I: By packed column gas chromatography

Abstract

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.