The prevalence of aliphatic delta-lactones or their precursors in animal fats.

Data are presented to show the occurrence of saturated aliphatic delta lactones, namely the delta-C(10), delta-C(12), delta-C(14), and delta-C(16), in numerous ruminant and monogastric animal fats. These trace components were isolated by silicic acid adsorption chromatography followed by identification employing gas chromatography. The general prevalence of the delta-lactones or their precursors in animal depot fat, mammary tissue, blood serum lipids and milk fat is suggestive that they occur commonly in animal fats and are related to lipid metabolism.