[Modification of the Pack method for the microdetermination of diacetyl in mixed cultures]

Prill and Hammer's method (4) for microdetermination of diacetyl was modified by several authors (1-3, 7), but retaining the same principle: diacetyl is converted into dimethylglyoxime by reaction with hydroxylamine; the oxime is subsequently converted into a pink ammonoferrous glyoximate and its colour is measured by absorbance at 530 nm. In the present communication a procedure based on the method of Pack et al. (3) is proposed with the following modifications: 1. Omission of carboy and suction flask; 2. Elongation of the connecting tubing between sample and trap tubes and relocation of the trap tubes to a higher level. 3. Replacement of rubber tubing by pvc connection and of rubber stoppers by neoprene ones. 4. A more accurate regulation of the nitrogen flow. 5. Protection of the Fe SO4 against oxidation. 6. Omission of the rinse of the trap tips with K2 HPO4 solution. 7. Use of diacetyl as a standard instead of dimethylglyoxime.