Analytical comparison of calorimetric, enzymatic and chemical methods for quantitative determination of cholic acids

Several methods for the determination of cholicacids have been examined using pure cholicacid as standard. Some analytical aspects have been checked and evaluated. Two methods based on DSC were considered using the detection and measurement of the heats of oxidation and heats of fusion, respectively. The results were compared with those obtained both by the enzymaticmethod using 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as reagent and by a chemicalmethod based on the Pettenkofer reaction. Operative procedures of the last method have been tested and improved with respect to the Irvin procedure in some cases. The discussion is reported in terms of precision, sensitivity and possible fields of application for the examined method.