Abstract
A mixture of keto acids (other then β) in an amount of about 100 p.p.m. has been isolated from steam‐deodorized butterfat by means of Girard‐T‐reagent. The methylated keto acids were fractionated and after saponification, the lower boiling fraction was reduced with sodium tetrahydridoborate. After heating of the hydroxy acids obtained, a small amount (about 2.5. p.p.m.) of γ‐ and δ‐lactones could be isolated. G.L.C.‐analysis demonstrated that the main components were δ‐octa, δ‐deca, δ‐dodecalactones and the minor components γ‐deca, γ‐undeca and γ‐dodecalactones, thus proving the presence of the corresponding keto acids in butterfat.