The carotenoids of butter

Abstract

When light petroleum solns. of the carotene fractions from saponified butter fat are passed through columns of alumina or Ca(OH)2 the pigment is adsorbed in 2 separate zones, the upper reddish brown, the lower yellowish-buff, spectroscopically shown to be P- and [alpha]-carotene respectively. The [beta]-form is commonly present in 2-3 times the amt. of the a-isomeride but occasionally the latter predominates. In addition to these 2 isomers butter fat often contains minute amts. of other carotenoids, the adsorption properties and spectroscopic criteria of which indicate the presence of kryptoxanthin and lycopene.