Abstract
The influence of water on the change of vitamin A acetate was investigated without using surface active agents, by comparing it with the changes in anhydrous ethanol and in aqueous ethanolic solution (90,80,70,60,50,and 45%). By ultraviolet spectrometric method (Morton・Stubbs correction) and Carr・Price reaction method, the change of vitamin A acetate in aqueous ethanolic solution was examined. Supposing that the value determined by the former method represents almost correctly unchanged vitamin A itself, and comparing it with the value determined by the latter method, we examined the total amount of the intermediately changed substance (Carr・Price reaction positive). By Al_2O_3 column chromatography, we examined each amount of the intermediately changed substances, respectively, and studied the process of these changes. In ethanolic solution the change process of vitamin A acetate seems to be as follows : Vitamin A acetate→intermediately changed substances (Carr・Price reaction positive substances, mainly anhydro-vitamin A)→degradated substances (Carr・Price reaction negative). Increasing of water content accelerates these reactions and seems to accelerate especially the second step reaction.
