Determination of trace amounts of organic acids in silage by liquid chromatography

Trace amounts of organic acids in silage may be determined rapidly and quantitatively by ion-exclusion chromatography. The method described uses a conductimetric microcell to monitor the aqueous eluate from the column. Examination of the results obtained shows that the method has a coefficient of variation of 6% when the sample is injected onto a column with the solvent running. It appears likely that the technique could be applied to mixtures of other acids.