CHOLALIC ACID

C 24 H 40 O 5 . Syn. Chol′ic acid . A non-nitrogenous acid existing in bile. It is best prepared by boiling the resinous ma precipitated by ether from an alcoholic solution of ox bile with a dilute solution of pota a, for 24 to 36 hours, till the amorphous pota a salt that has separated begins to crystallise. The dark-coloured soft ma is then removed from the alkaline liquid, di olved in water, and hydrochloric acid added. A little ether will cause the deposition of the CHOLALIC ACID from this solution in crystals. With sulphuric acid and solution of sugar it strikes a purple-violet colour; this constitutes Pettenkofer’s test for bile.