Separation and Identification of Sodium Salts of C2 to C5 Volatile Fatty Acids by Paper Chromatography

Abundant Microorganism in Soil1

“…Organic acid products of glucose fermentations were checked by paper chromatography (Kennedy and Barker, 1951) and by thin-layer chromatography with silica gel G (Brinkman Instruments, Westbury, N.Y.). The latter procedure utilized solvent systems 12 (ethyl alcohol-NH40H-water, 20:1:4) and 23 (ethyl alcohol-chloroform-NH40H, 80:19:1); acid spots were detected by spraying the chromatograms with Schwartzman's (1960) reagent.…”

Chromatography

“…For paper chromatography, filter paper impregnated with sodium molybdate, tungstate, vanadate, borate (442), or polycaprolactam-formic acid (1252), or silica gel-impregnated glass-fiber paper has been recommended. Several new solvent systems (459,1043), including one containing indicators The fatty acids may be chromatographed as such, or in the form of their sodium salts (1049), 2,4-dinitrobenzyl esters (213), anilides (538), hvdroxamates (1207), or methyl esters prepared with C14H2N2 (716). New detecting reagents include mercurochrome (523) and diazotized p-nitroaniline (1268) for the ammonium and chloranilic acid (66) for the sodium salts of organic acids, Turnbull's blue reagent (604), a mixed indicator (864), and reagents leading to the formation of Indanthrene Blue (1037) and bismuth sulfide (1088).…”