A Photometric Method for the Determination of Fatty Acids: Application to Serum

Abstract

A photometric method for the determination of fatty acids based on change of color of a buffered acid-base indicator was described. It was compared with a conventional titrimetric procedure and was shown to be simpler to perform and more precise. The method was applied to the determination of total fatty acids in serum with a conventional hydrolysis and extraction procedure. The normal range for 100 healthy adults, 4 hr. after breakfast, was 6.4 to 22. 5 mEq. per liter; the mean was 11. 4 and the standard deviation was 2.8.