Some Volatile Components in Milk, Blood, and Urine from Cows Fed Silage, Bromegrass, and Hay and Grain

Chromatographic analyses of volatile material in milk, blood, and urine of cows fed silage, bromegrass pasture, and a control ration of hay and grain were made. Off-flavors as determined by organoleptic analysis could not be related to any specific volatile materials deternfined from the analyses. Of the volatile constituents found in biological fluids, their concentrations were usually higher in urine than either milk or blood. Some chromatographic peaks from the analysis of some of the biological fluids were peculiar to certain feeds. Evidence for identification was presented for ethyl ether, ethanol, methyl sulfide, propanal, acetone, methanol, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, and n-propanol. Identification was based upon agreement of retention time with known compounds and alteration of chromatographs by prior treatment of samples with various qualitative reagents. Of materials observed, only acetone and 2-butanone were conclusively identified.