Cholesterol autoxidation: identification of the volatile fragments

The volatile fragments of air-aged cholesterol were analysed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; The following fourteen compounds were identified: ethanol, acetic acid, acetone, 2-methylpropene, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-methyl-2-propanol, 2-butanone, 2-methylpropionic acid, 2-methyl-2-butanol, 2-pentanone, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-methyl-1-pentene, 2-methyl-2-pentanol, and 2-methyl-4-penten-2-ol. Their formation via decomposition of initially formed sterol hydroperoxides is discussed.