A simple, rapid method for measurement of acetate in tissue and serum

A simple and rapid method is described for determining the free acetate concentration in liver and serum. After extraction, the acetate is converted to its benzyl ester by thermal degradation of its benzyldimethylphenylammonium salt in the vaporizer of a gas chromatography. Good quantitation is achieved in the range of 0.033-2.5 mumoles of acetate per gram of liver or per milliliter of serum.