Abstract
This investigation was undertaken to attempt to determine whether or not an even carbon fatty acid with a negative group attached to the α, γ, ∊ or some corresponding carbon atom would yield acetone on oxidation in the body.
i-oxystearic acid was prepared by the method of the Saytzeffs, 1 and esterified in the usual manner with absolute alcohol and dry HC1. The ester was then homogenized to a cream with skimmed milk. The acetyl value of the ester was 80-85. Urinary nitrogen was determined by Kjeldhaly's method, acetone by that of Van Slyke & Fitz, organic acids by that of Van Slyke and Palmer, creatine and creatinne by Folin's microchemical method. Stool fat was determined by Sharp's nephelometric method.
The appended tables show a definite reduction in urinary acetone when the synthetic fat was fed, and stool fat analyses indicate that it was absorbed by the body. It is of interest to note that though the acetone falls, organic acid output remains almost unchanged, and it seems probable that the synthetic product is at least in part oxidized and not wholly stored by the body. It will be noted that the synthetic fat was not quantitatively hydroxylated; but in one experiment not here tabulated (in which i-oxystearic ethyl ester, having an acetyl value of but 40 was fed), there was no reduction in ketosis. It, therefore, appears that the non-hydroxylated fraction of the product fed is ketogenic.
We wish to express our thanks to Dr. H. D. Dakin, who suggested this problem, and whose advice has proven invaluable.
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