Bile acid analysis: a rapid and sensitive gas-liquid chromatographic method.

A sensitive and fast method is described for quantitative determination of bile acids by gas-liquid chromatography. Using hexafluoroisopropanol plus trifluoroacetic anhydride for the derivatization of bile acids, several steps are reduced in the preparation of samples, so that the procedure is shortened and the recovery is improved. Free, conjugated and sulfated bile acids can be determined in serum, bile or urine. This method may be used for routine assays of biological fluids and appears sensitive and accurate.