A relation between the chain length of fatty acids and the slowing of gastric emptying

1. Test meals of solutions and suspensions of potassium and sodium salts of a series of saturated fatty acids, from C 2 to C 18 , were given to healthy subjects. 2. From the volume of these meals recovered after a fixed interval the relative effectiveness of the salts of the acids in slowing gastric emptying was assessed. 3. On a molar basis the salts of fatty acids from acetic up to decanoic were relatively ineffective in slowing gastric emptying. 4. The salts of fatty acids with 12-18 carbon atoms were much more effective than those with up to 10 carbon atoms. Myristate was the most effective of the salts. 5. Buffering the test meals with 33 m M sodium citrate increased the effectiveness of the salts in slowing gastric emptying.