title: Comparison of rapid methods for analysis of bacterial fatty acids.
abstract: When rapid gas-liquid chromatography methods for determination of bacterial fatty acids were compared, results showed that saponification was required for total fatty acid analysis. Transesterification with boron-trihalide reagents (BF(3)-CH(3)OH, BCl(3)-CH(3)OH) caused extensive degradation of cyclopropane acids and was less effective than saponification in releasing cellular hydroxy fatty acids. Digestion of cells with tetramethylammonium hydroxide was unsatisfactory because of extraneous gas-liquid chromatography peaks and because of lower recovery of branched-chain and hydroxy fatty acids. A simple, rapid saponification procedure which can be used for total cellular fatty acid analysis of freshly grown cells is described.
mesh_terms: D001896:Boron Compounds; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004952:Esters / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008722:Methods; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000032:analysis*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
chemical_list: D001896:Boron Compounds; D004952:Esters; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds