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-β-hydroxybutyrate and poly-β-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 10−5 g/liter.