Isolation and Characterization of Nonesterified 3-Hydroxy Acids in Milk

Nonesterified 3-hydroxy acids of unknown origin, ranging in chain length from 6 to 16 carbons are identified in milk. Content of 3-hydroxydecanoic acid is estimated at 25 to 50μg per liter of milk. It is proposed that the 3-hydroxy acids originate in milk as side products of fatty acid synthesis by way of the Malonyl CoA pathway rather than as fatty acid degradation products.