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Structure and Synthesis of Milk Fat. I. Gas Chromatographic Analysis^{1, 2,}

Department of Dairy Science, Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, University Park

ABSTRACT

Investigation was made of the composition of milk fatty acid methyl esters (C₄-C₁₈) by means of gas chromatography employing an ionization detection system. The positions of the various methyl esters on the chromatograms were established by using reference compounds on a nonpolar (Apiezon-L) capillary column and a relatively polar (diethylene glycol succinate polyester) packed column. By this means, the presence of C₄, C₆, and C₈ through C₁₈ n-alkanoic acids, the C₁₆ and cis and trans C₁₈ n-alkenoic acids, and the C₁₈ n-alkadienoic and trienoic acids was confirmed. By selection of suitable operating conditions, it was possible to make quantitative analyses. Such analyses of milk fats collected at various seasons showed high summer levels of trans-octadecenoic acid, which progressively declined through fall and early winter. A comparison of summer and winter fat showed the entire C₁₈ fraction to be increased, mainly at the expense of palmitate, in the summer sample. It is felt that gas chromatography can be of much value in solving problems concerning the composition of milk fat as related to its synthesis, its properties in manufactured milk products, and its nutritional value.

¹ Authorized for publication February 19, 1960, as Paper No. 2442 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Supported in part by the U. S. Public Health Service (H3632).