The microtitration of total fatty acids of serum, with notes on the estimation of triglycerides

A method is described for the determination of total fatty acids of serum by microtitration. The method is designed to permit also the determination of cholesterol and lipid phosphorus, and of triglycerides by difference. One ml. of serum is sufficient for duplicate determinations of total fatty acids, lipid phosphorus, and cholesterol. The essential steps include extraction of serum lipids, saponification, extraction and microtitration of the liberated fatty acids. A Possible modification which may be useful in the estimation of triglycerides is described. Recoveries of pure fatty acids and triglycerides were 97 per cent complete. Short chain fatty acids and intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism were not detected by this method.