An accurate, precise photometric assay has been developed for both medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids and triglycerides, in which very small aliquots of fecal emulsion are used. Feces are collected in a paint can and agitated on a commercial paint-can shaker. Homogenization is improved by substituting isopropanol for ethanol and adding bile salts as an emulsifying agent. This collection and processing technique, combined with a spectrophotometric microscale assay, produces a semiclosed system that reduces manipulation of the fecal sample to a minimum, greatly increasing its acceptance by technical personnel. Special glassware is not required and batch processing of samples is convenient. The micromethod of analysis is also readily adaptable to studies of the fecal lipid excretion of small laboratory animals.
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Massion et al. (1973) studied this question.