The simultaneous determination of short chain fatty acid, monosaccharides and ethanol in fermented liquid pig diets

A method is described for the simultaneous monitoring of four short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (lactic, acetic, propionic and butyric acid), two mono-saccarides (fructose and glucose) and ethanol in liquid feed for pigs and liquid feed fermented with lactic acid bacteria. The method involves a simple extraction technique, with average recoveries between 83 and 98%. Determination and quantification of each compound was achieved by isocratic, ion exclusion chromatography (IEC), at room temperature. Detection was by refractive index.