Gas chromatographic analysis of free carboxylic acids in foods using a micropacked column

A micropacked column packed with FFAP 4% on desilanized Volaspher A-2 is proposed for determining free carboxylic acids (C2–C20, and C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, i-C4 and i-C5) without derivatization. The column has high efficiency and separates several carboxylic acids in extracts of food samples without a separate acid extraction. For very complex real mixtures, an additional extraction provides an excellent acid profile. Thermal degradation was not observed for unsaturated acids and the accuracy and precision of the analysis were good.This work was made possible by financial assistance from the Commission Asesora de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica, Project 237/84. T.H. is grateful to the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia for a grant.Peer reviewe