Errors in the acid and saponification values of fatty acids

Abstract Attention is directed to the variation in ester value of fatty acids depending upon method of isolation. The formation of sterol esters increases the ester value of fatty acids. The increase of ester value with elapsed time is discussed. The effect of ester value variation on the results obtained in soap analysis is described, and a possible basis of explanation for the anomalous results frequently obtained with the Goldschmidt method is presented.