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Methods for Measuring Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Ammonia from Animal Wastes¹

ABSTRACT

Methods for measuring free fatty acids and ammonia-nitrogen are discussed. Free fatty acids can be separated easily from manure constituents by steam distillation. The free acids were subsequently analyzed by flame ionization gas chromatography, following concentration and acidification of the distillate. Linear detection limits for the flame ionization detector ranged from 15 to 300 µg of acid/ml of sample with a 1-µliter injection. Linear detection limits were increased to 1.5 µg with a 10-µliter injection. Percent recoveries of the fatty acids ranged from 61 to 95%. Ammonia-N was separated from light-chain amines using the Nessler technique. Interference by methylamine and ethylamine-N with the NH₄-N determination was only about 6% of the equivalent NH₄-N.

¹ Contribution from the North Central Region, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, in cooperation with the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln, 68503. Published as Paper no. 3769, Journal Series, Nebraska Agric. Exp. Sta.

² Microbiologist and Biological Sciences Technician, respectively, USDA, Lincoln, Neb.

Received for publication September 11, 1974. Accepted for publication January 24, 1975.