DETERMINATION OF FREE AND BOUND FATTY-ACIDS IN RIVER WATER BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A technique is described for the isolation and quantitation of free and bound fatty acids (FA) in river water. The method involves sequential liquid-liquid extraction of the water sample by 0.1 N HCI, benzene/methanol (7:3) and hexane/ether (1:1). The resultant extract was concentrated and the fatty acids were separated as a class on Florisil using an ether/methanol (1:1) and (1:3) elution. Final determination of individual fatty acids was accomplished by forming the phenacyi ester and separating by HPLC. Results are given for the distribution of FA in Mississippi River water and show the general applicability of the technique to complex environmental samples. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.