Volatile acids in the secretion products (hair grease) of the skin

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The volatile fatty acids C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8 and C10 (free and as esters) of the skin secretions (hair grease) of man and of several spp. of animals have been studied. The quantities of these acids found in the secretions of man, horse, rabbit, cat, guinea pig and rat were very small. With male goats, cattle, sheep and dogs, appreciable quantities were found, mainly in the ether extract from which the free acids had been removed. The acids (including some C2 and C3 acids), were therefore present in this fraction in combined form. The aggregates of volatile fatty acids C2-C10 in the lipid fractions amounted for the 4 spp. mentioned,respectively, to about 3, 3, 1.5 and 5%. In the lipid fractions relating to the 3 spp. of ruminants all 7 volatile acids were present. However, in cattle, Cg and C10 acids were preponderant, while in sheep C4 and C5 acids predominated, In male goats the 7 volatile acids were more evenly distributed, but Cg and C10 acids predominated. The lipid fractions from 8 dogs contained virtually C5 acid only. It is questionable whether the offensive smell of male goats is really due to C6 and Cg as is generally assumed.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: