Quantification and speciation of volatile fatty acids in the aqueous phase

Lee, Jechan; Kim, Jieun; Oh, Jeong-Ik; Lee, Sang Ryong; Kwon, Eilhann E.

Quantification and speciation of volatile fatty acids in the aqueous phase

2017

Lee, Jechan | Kim, Jieun | Oh, Jeong-Ik | Lee, Sang Ryong | Kwon, Eilhann E.

This study lays great emphasis on establishing a reliable analytical platform to quantify and specify volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the aqueous phase by derivatizing VFAs into their corresponding alkyl esters via thermally-induced rapid esterification (only 10 s reaction time). To this end, reaction conditions for the thermally-induced rapid esterification are optimized. A volumetric ratio of 0.5 at 400 °C for VFA/methanol is identified as the optimal reaction conditions to give ∼90% volatile fatty acid methyl ester (VFAME) yield. To maintain a high yield of VFAMEs, this study suggests that dilution of the sample to an optimum concentration (∼500 ppm for each VFA) is required. Derivatization of VFAs into VFAMEs via the thermally-induced rapid esterification is more reliable to quantify and specify VFAs in the aqueous phase than conventional colorimetric method.

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