DETERMINATION OF FECAL FAT BY NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY

The applicability of near-infrared spectroscopy to determine the amoun t of fat in faeces has been investigated. Near-infrared spectroscopy w as favourably compared with the well known titrimetric method (Van de Kamer et al., J Biol Chem 1948; 177:347-55). A good correlation betwee n near-infrared spectroscopy and the titrimetric method was found. The measurement of faecal fat by near-infrared spectroscopy is found to b e more precise than the manual method. Moreover, near-infrared spectro scopy is shown to be a very simple and rapid method for measuring fat in faeces. However, it was shown that performing one's own calibration curve is necessary. Due to this necessity and the costs of the appara tus application of near-infrared spectroscopy is especially advantageo us in laboratories with a substantial amount of samples to be analysed .