A New Keto Acid, 5-Acetoxy-4-ketohexanoic Acid,Formed from Ethanol by Yeast

Of five strains of yeast tested, three which produced 5-hydroxy-4-ketohexanoic acid (HKH) were also found to form a new keto acid, when grown on medium containing ethanol as the sole carbon source. The new product was isolated in pure form and the structure was investigated by elementary analysis, infrared spectral analysis, NMR analysis and determination of its degradation product.

The compound was shown to be 5-acetoxy-4-ketohexanoic acid. 5-Acetoxy-4-keto-hexanoic acid (AKH) was synthesized and found to be identical with the isolated product.