Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 16, 402-406, Copyright © 1975 by Lipid Research, Inc.
Automated modification of Duncombe's method for the ultramicro determination of serum free fatty acids
MC Elphick
An automated continuous-flow method is described for estimating free fatty
acids in serum using 25-mul samples. The procedure depends on the formation
of copper soaps on the surface of a semipermeable membrane, their transfer
into chloroform, and subsequent determination of dissolved copper. The
membrane separating copper reagent and chloroform is supported between
thin-channel dialysis plates. Chloroform extracts of serum free fatty acids
are passed through the dialysis unit, and dissolved copper in the outflow
is estimated colorimetrically. The procedure gives values that agree with a
standard titrimetric method.