Characterization of two steroidal ketones and two isoprenoid alcohols in dairy products.

Two steroidal ketones, delta-4-cholesten-3-one and delta-3,-5-cholestadiene-7-one, were isolated and identified for the first time in anhydrous milk fat and in nonfat dry milk. Together with these, two isoprenoid alcohols, phytol and dihydrophytol, were identified in anhydrous milk fat. Their identities were established on the basis of chromatographic and mass spectral data and confirmed by comparison with authentic materials.