Short-chain fatty acids in seven sterile thioglycollate media

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analysed by gas chromatography in 7 sterile fluid thioglycollate media. The total SCFA concentration varied from 250 mumol/l to 1720 mumol/l. Acetic acid (52.0%-91.3% of total SCFA concentration) and n-butyric acid (5.8%-48.0% of total concentration) were the main acids in all sterile media; low concentrations of propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and n-valeric acid were present in most media. In studies of bacterial metabolism, or when analyses of SCFAs are used for identification of bacteria, testing of the sterile medium is necessary.