Studies on the Chemical Nature of the Unsaponifiable Fraction of Fish Oil

Abstract

The alcohols present in the unsaponifiable fraction of the liver oil of Somniosus microcephalus can be converted into phthalic ester acids, which may be used for alcohol isolation. The bulk of the alcohols is dihydric. The properties of batyl alcohol and selachyl alcohol produced from S. microcephalus agree with the statements of Tsuji-moto and Toyama. When pure these alcohols have neither growth-promoting nor antirachitic properties, and do not give the well-known color reaction with HSO4. The ester acids of the alcohols present in cod liver oil exhibit a close resemblance to selachyl diph-thalic ester acid but are more unsaturated.