RAPID ASSAY OF FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION USING A PORTABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPH FOR MONITORING AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

The chromatographic conditions presented allowed the separation of the nitrophenacyl derivatives of standards of eleven free fatty acids (FF A) using a portable high-performance chromatograph, suitable for use a board a research vessel. A statistically significant linear correlatio n between UV absorbance and amount of the analytes injected was obtain ed. The method was tested on FFA from algae cultural media. The method can be used for the ecological monitoring of natural waters.