Rapid profiling method for mammalian feces short chain fatty acids by GC-MS

Anal Biochem. 2018 Feb 15:543:51-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2017.12.001. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Abstract

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are key feces metabolites generated by gut bacteria fermentation. Despite the importance of profiling feces SCFAs, technical difficulties in analysis remain due to their volatility and hydrophilicity. We improve previous protocols to profile SCFAs and optimize the metabolite profiling platform for mammalian feces samples. In this study, we investigated feces as biological samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Isobutyl chloroformate was used for a derivatization in aqueous solution without drying out the samples. Ultimately, we envisage being able to determine the way in which gut bacteria fermentation influences host gut condition by using our rapid metabolite profiling methods.

Keywords: Fermentation; GC-MS; Gut bacteria; SCFA (short chain fatty acids).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Clostridium / metabolism
  • Dogs
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis*
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Fermentation
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Volatile