A semiquantitative screening test and quantitative assay for total fecal fat.

The gravimetric analysis of total fecal fat by a proposed chloroform extraction procedure has been shown to compare very closely with an accepted procedure involving a petroleum ether extraction, at all levelsof fecal fat. The decrease in the density of the chloroform by the fecal fat is used as a semiquantitative measure of fat concentration. This is accomplishedby noting the bouyancy of the chloroform extract in sodium bromidesolutionsof the appropriate density. If the rapid screening test indicates a possible fecal fat level above the acceptable maximum, an aliquot of the same extract is then assayedgravimetrically.