A novel ketogenic compound is provided having general formula (R(OCH(CH3)CH2C(O))nO)m-A wherein n is a integer between I and 10, m is an integer of 1 to 200,000, A is a monosaccharide, polysaccharide or oligosaccharide residue and R is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C6 alkyl and acetoacetyl-