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Methods for Measuring Short‐Chain Fatty Acids and Ammonia from Animal Wastes
Author(s) -
Elliott L. F.,
Travis T. A.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1975.03615995003900030030x
Subject(s) - chemistry , flame ionization detector , ammonia , chromatography , methylamine , ethylamine , distillation , gas chromatography , dimethylamine , fatty acid , nitrogen , organic chemistry
Methods for measuring free fatty acids and ammonia‐nitrogen are discussed. Free fatty acids can be separated easily from manure constituents by steam distillation. The free acids were subsequently analyzed by flame ionization gas chromatography, following concentration and acidification of the distillate. Linear detection limits for the flame ionization detector ranged from 15 to 300 µg of acid/ml of sample with a 1‐µliter injection. Linear detection limits were increased to 1.5 µg with a 10‐µliter injection. Percent recoveries of the fatty acids ranged from 61 to 95%. Ammonia‐N was separated from light‐chain amines using the Nessler technique. Interference by methylamine and ethylamine‐N with the NH 4 ‐N determination was only about 6% of the equivalent NH 4 ‐N.