Determination of Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate and Poly-β-Hydroxyvalerate in Activated Sludge by Gas-Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A convenient gas-liquid chromatography procedure to quantify poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate and poly-beta-hydroxyvalerate in activated sludge was developed by combining lyophilization of the samples, purification of the chloroform phase by water reextraction, and the use of capillary columns. With a flame ionization detector the sensitivity was estimated at 10 g/liter.