A Gas Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Lactic Acid in Blood

Abstract

A method for the determination of lactic acid concentration in blood by gas chroma tography is described. Lactic acid in a protein-free filtrate is oxidized by ceric sulfate to acetaldehyde. The latter compound is introduced into the gas chroma tographic column by vapor phase injection, and is quantitatively measured within 3 min. The method is specific, precise, and not affected by compounds that may interfere with the determination of lactic acid by colorimetric or enzymatic methods. A method for preserving blood samples up to 24 hr. without change in lactic acid concentration is also described.