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Updated: May 4, 2026
Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
Published on: January 7, 2019
An effective pre-treatment method for the determination of short-chain fatty acids in a complex matrix by
Yuan Chen1, Yun Li1, Yongqiang Xiong1
1State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (SKLOG), Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China.
Abstract:
We have developed a sample preparation method involving derivatization combined with headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) for the determination of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in complex matrices. The derivatization of SCFAs was conducted using the BF3/ethanol method prior to HS-SDME. The HS-SDME extraction conditions for the derivatization products (ethyl esters) of SCFAs were optimized using 1.0μL of dibutylphthalate (DBP), 1000rpm stirring speed, 30% (w/v) NaCl, 20min extraction time, and 7mL of sample solution in a 12mL vial. Quantitative determination of ethyl esters was performed using gas chromatography (GC). Linear calibration curves and excellent reproducibility were obtained using these optimized extraction conditions. Compared with our previous work, the significantly lower detection limits (0.11, 0.017, 0.0060, and 0.0024μg/mL for C2 to C5 SCFAs, respectively) indicate that this new method is suitable for quantitative analysis of SCFAs in complex matrices, such as the RuO4 oxidation products of kerogen or asphaltene.
