Radioassay by gas-liquid chromatography of lipids labeled with carbon-14

Abstract

A method for radioassay of carbon-I4 labeled substances analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography is described. The column effluent is automatically fractionated by condensing the vapor in a series of cartridges filled with anthracene crystals coated with silicone oil. The radioactivity in each cartridge is then assayed directly by scintillation counting. The considerations leading to the design and operation of an automatic fraction collector based on this principle are explored. Application of the method to several types of analyses demonstrates its high sensitivity and defines its limitations.