Determination of inositol phosphate esters in lake sediments

A procedure for the determination of the total inositol polyphosphate content of lake sediments is presented and evaluated. This technique involves extraction with NaOH, cleanup of the extract, and isolation and identification of two groups of inositol phosphate esters by ion-exchange chromatography. Radioisotope dilution is employed to correct for losses during the extraction, cleanup and isolation steps. Recoveries of the radiotracer inositol phosphates have averaged 85% during the analysis of approximately 40 calcareous and non-calcareous sediment samples and more than 20 soil samples.