A gas-chromatographic method for the determination of low concentrations of acrylic acid in mixtures of C2 to C5 fatty acids in biological materials

Abstract

The presence of acrylic acid in mixtures of short-chain (C₂ to C₅) fatty acids can be determined by gas chromatography by using a composite column technique. By varying the proportions of the total column length occupied by non-polar and polar liquid phases, the acrylic acid peak could be “moved” to a predetermined position on the chromatogram and complete separation from the other acids could be achieved. Suitable placing of the peak enabled the concentration of acrylic acid to be accurately and quickly determined.