Abstract
A SHORT time ago1 we reported that vitamin D found in ether extract of meadow hay had the same properties as described by Kon and Booth2 for vitamin D in butter, in that only one fifth of this vitamin after saponification is again found in the unsaponifiable fraction. We have since examined butter and have been able to confirm Kon and Booth's results as regards its vitamin D content. We considered it of interest to investigate whether the missing four fifths of the anti-rachitic vitamin might possibly be found in the saponifiable fraction of the ether extract of butter or hay. For this purpose, a small excess of acetic acid was added and the free fatty acids taken up with ether and isolated. It was then found that the missing four fifths of the original vitamin D were among the free fatty acids. Thus with alkali it gives a water-soluble substance; deprived of alkali, it is again soluble in ether.
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NATURE, 133, 255; Feb. 17, 1934. In this letter an error appeared. At the end of the second paragraph, for 0.25 units read 10 units.
Kon, S. K., and Booth, R. G., Biochem. J., 27, 1302; 1933.
Shipley, Kinney, McCollum, J. Biol. Chem., 59, 177; 1927.
Zucker, Amer. J. Publ. Health, 23, 10; 1933.
Poulsson, E., and Løvenskiold, H., Bioch. J., 22, No. 1; 1928.
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RYGH, O. The Third Vitamin D. Nature 133, 533 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/133533a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/133533a0
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