Computer treatment of gas-liquid chromatographic data, with special reference to fatty acid methyl esters

A computer program is described which analyzes output punched directly onto paper tape from a gas-liquid chromatograph. Although this program was written specifically for samples of fatty acid methyl esters derived from adipose tissue triglycerides which are eluted within 1 hr, modification of the dimension statements in the program would enable it to deal with samples which require a longer time to come off the column. The salient features of the rationale of the program are discussed in detail, particularly the procedures for base line correction and for estimating the contributions from components which are not perfectly separated in the column. Examples are given of the program in practice, of comparing the results it gives with those obtained by manual triangulation of the areas on a recorder chart, and of indicating the range of column load over which we have found that it operates satisfactorily. A sample computer print-out from the program is presented and interpreted.