Chromatography Forum

I am new to GC and was wondering if anyone has done a water injection with the DB-FFAP column analyzing organic acids? I am trying to determine the amount of oxalate from wheat bran. We are attempting it without derivatization, though I have a feeling we will have to for accurate results. Any suggestions on a form of derivatization will also be greatly apprieciated. I have found methods of an ethyl acetate extraction/oxime-trimethylsilyl derivatization but I woul like more options.

thanks in advance,
Dea

A lot of organic acids are not vilotile enoung with out derivatization. If you convert them into esters then you can use GC.
Another alternative is to do this under HPLC conditions with LC/MS. ELSD or UV detection. Few companies have "Organic Acid" HPLC column-Dionex, Alltech, etc. Check their respective websites.

You can also try our mixed mode approach. Check the list below for HPLCmethods for organic acids:

http://hplcmethods.com/Applications_By_Compound.php

I think oxalic acid decomposes on heating so that you will not be able to analyse it by GC, at least not in an underivatised state.