The irritant constituent of anti-leprotic oils

ABSTRACT

The constituent fractions of the acids of sapucainha oil have been separated by cold processes as afr as possible and tested for irritant properties. A crystalline acid fraction (chaulmoogric, hydnocarpic and palmitic acids), an oily acid (5 per cent), and a keto-acid (4,5 per cent), gave bland ethyl esters and sodium salts. The only product to exhibit marked irritant properties was a tarry acid fraction (9 per cent), which appeared to consist essentially of a lactonic acid. The ethyl esters of the crystalline acids were not rendered irritant by distillation at 350°/760 mm., but on long exposure in thin layers to ligh and air they change in physical and chemical character and become highly irritant, possibly owing to the production of the lactonic acid above mentioned.