The hydroxybutyric acid is especially increased in man and the rat. In sufficient quantity, the hor

B ioch em istry

optimum 0-2 on the acid side. NaF is most active

II. The hydroxybutyric acid is especially increased in man and the rat. In sufficient quantity, the hor

mone lowers the basal metabolism of man and increases the sp. dynamic action. The hormone can be detected in the blood after a meal of fat.

A. A. E.

Action of extracts of the posterior lobe of tbe pituitary on tbe glycogen content of liver and muscle. P. Gomori and P. Ma r so v szk y, jun.

(Arch. exp. Path. Pharm., 1932, 165, 516—519).—

White rats treated subcutaneously with posterior pituitary extract show a decrease in liver-glycogen as compared with control animals, but the muscle-

glycogen is unaltered. W. O. K.

Correlative relations of tbe five hormone organs, pituitary, thyroid, tbymus, gonad, adrenal, in healthy men and domestic animals by tbe interferometric method of tbe Abder- halden reaction. E. ^L^{e n d e l} and F. ^H^ogreve (Fermentforsch., 1932, 13, 244—261).—In domestic animals and man the strongest link exists between the thyroid and the gonad and their defence enzymes.

Considerable differences are found between man and domestic animals in correlating the pituitary with

the gonad. J. H. B.

Purification and properties of insulin. T. D.

Ge r l o u g h and R. W. ^B^{a t e s} (J. Pharm. Exp. Ther.,

1 9 3 2 , 45, 19— 5 1 ).—The method of Scott and of Best and Scott (A., 19 2 5 , i, 6 1 7 ; 1 9 2 6 , 97) for the purification of crude insulin has been slightly modified so that insulin of activity practically equal to that of cryst. insulin is obtained. The modification depends on the relative solubilities of insulin and its impuri

ties in dil. EtOH in presence of Na2S04. Sulphates displace the p s at which solubility of insulin in aq.

EtOH is min., but chlorides and acetates do not markedly alter the pptn. zone. The highly potent insulin obtained by fractional pptn. with EtOH contained less than 0 - 1 % of tryptophan. Modified methods are given for the crystallisation of insulin.

Cryst. insulin prepared from material previously coagulated by heat in acid solution had approx. the same activity as cryst. insulin prepared from un

coagulated material. No conclusive evidence was obtained that highly purified insulin coagulates in acid solution at 7 0 — 10 0 ° more rapidly than crude preps., but the rate of coagulation was retarded by CH20 and certain proteins. Coagulation, which followed the course of a first order reaction, was min.

between p R 2 -6 and 3 -3 . The coagulated insulin which is inactive regains its activity, although not instantaneously, when dissolved in NaOH solution at

p s 12-0. • W. 0. K.

Relation of the duodenal mucosa to tbe internal secretion of tbe pancreas. N. B. Laug h ton and A. B. Macallum (Proc. Roy. Soc., 1932, B, 111, 37—46).—Moist duodenal mucosa of cattle is rapidly desiccated, extracted with EtOH-IICl, EtOH dis

tilled from the extract, and the fatty residue extracted with 1% aq. HC1. Pptn. of Ca3(P04)2 at p n 7-8—

8-0 in the extract yields a material containing the greater part of the active principle, which may be extracted from the adsorption complex by 0-3% aq.

HC1. The prep, induces neither hypo- nor hyper- glycoemia in rabbits, but when subcutaneously injected it considerably reduces the hyperglycsemia due to intravenous administration of glucose. This action persists for some time after injection and is even more marked in the partly depancreatised dog, whilst in the totally depancreatised dog no reduction of alimentary hyperglycsemia occurs.

The substance has no action on the blood-pressure nor on the flow of pancreatic juice, and hence is entirely distinct from secretion. It occurs in the duodenal mucosa of rabbits, dogs, and hogs. The theory is advanced that the active principle is a hormone stimulating the islets of Langerhans to

secrete insulin. E. 0. H.

B IO C H E M I S T R Y . 7 8 1

Hormono-vagal e fleet of thyroidectomy on carbohydrate metabolism, reactivity to adrenal

ine and insulin, and thermo-regulation. R.

Me ssin a (Arch. Farm, sperim., 1932, 54, 14—43).—

In five rabbits the blood-sugar was diminished after thyroidectomy, there was a lowered capacity for assimilating glucose, due to lowered oxidative met

abolism, a hypersensitivity followed by hyposensi- tivity to adrenaline, and an intensified insulin hypo

glycemia. The temp, fell and thermo-regulation was interfered with, the effect of glucose, adrenaline, and insulin being intensified. R. K. C.

Action of antithydreoidin on the gas exchange of the rat. K. Ob e r d is s e and S. Th a d d e a (Arch, exp. Path. Pharm., 1932, 165, 538—552).—The metabolic rate of white rats, normal or treated with thyroxine, as measured by the CO, produced, is depressed by the oral administration of “ anti- t.hyreoidin-Mobius ” (serum of thyroidectomised sheep), whilst the feeding of desiccated normal sheep or horse serum is without appreciable effect.

W. 0. K.

Distribution and character of adipose tissue in the rat. II. Effect of ovariectomy and of feed

ing with thyroxine. L. L. Re e d, W. E. An d e r s o n,

and L. B. Me n d e d (J. Biol. Cliem., 1932, 96, 313—

323).—Ovariectomy produces a negligible increase in the percentage of fat, whilst its quality, as indicated by its I val., is unchanged. Feeding with thyroxine leaves the distribution of fat unchanged, whilst the total quantity is halved and the I val. is increased

by 10—15 units. H. D.

Isolation of the testicular hormone, (a) and (c) B. ^Fr a t t in i and M. ^M^{a i n o}^; (b) and (d) A.

Bu t e n a n d t (Angew. Chem., 1932, 45, 324—326).—

(a) A claim for priority (A., 1931, 398) over Butenandt (this vol., 96). The hormone has m. p. 210° and 1 fowl unit=0-5 mg.

(6) The prep, of Frattini and Maino is insufficiently characterised, differs in chemical and physical pro

perties from Butenandt’s prep. (m. p. 178°), and has only 0-02% of the activity of the latter. It is prob

ably an inactive material contaminated with traces of hormone.

(c) A reply.

(d) A reply. New results of assay are given.

R. K. C.

Female sexual hormone. VII. Isomeric follicular hormones. A. Bu t e n a n d t and I.

Stormer. VIII. Constitution of the follicular hormone. I. A. Bu t e n a n d t, I. Storm er, and U.

Westpiial (Z. physiol. Chem., 1932, 208, 129—148, 149—172; cf. A., 1931, 1195).—VII. The original hydroxyketone, C18H220 2, now termed the a-hor- mone, has the following properties : m. p. 255°, Wo + 15 6 —158°, absorption max. at 280—285 mg, activity 8—10 and 40 million mouse units per g. for single and repeated dosage (ben zoate, m. p. 217-5°).

Other derivatives are doubtful as possibly being obtained from isomerides. With some derivatives, particularly the benzoate, the physiological activity is more protracted than with the free hormone. The hydrate forms mixed crystals with the hormone, hence the apparently varying activity; the pure

hydrate, C18H2403, has m. p. 279—280°, [a]D +30°, absorption max. 280—285 mg, activity 75,000 mouse units per g. characteristically protracted (Ac3 derivative, m. p. 126°; Me ether, m. p. 159—160°, Ho +32°).

The elimination of H20 from the pure hydrate by distillation over KHS04 yields isomeric hormones forming mixed crystals; the yield of (3- is increased at the expense of the a-hormono by a rapid distillation at 200°. The (3-horm one has m. p. 257°, [a]D + 16 5 — 166° in CHC13, absorption max. at 283—285 mg, physiological activity 1-25 and 8 million units per g.

for single arid repeated doses [benzoate (2 forms), m. p. 205 and 220-5°]. The (5-form only was isolated from the urine of pregnant mares. The a [3-isomcrism may be due to a cis-irans-isomerism at the te r t. OH.

VIII. Follicular hormone (I), m. p. 250°, forms a sem ica rb a zo n e (II), m. p. 257—258° (decomp.), probably containing 0-5H20, and a Me ether (III), m.p. 168-5—169° [s em ica rb a zo n e, m.p.267° (decomp.)].

The hormone hydrate gives with diazomethane a

M e ether, m. p. 159—160°, [a]D +30-2° in pyridine, -which when heated with KHS04 in vac. forms (III).

When heated with NaOEt, (I) gives d e o x y fo llic u la r h orm one, m. p. 129—129-5° [M e eth er (IV), m. p.

71-5°]. Reduction of (III) with Zn-Hg and IIC1 affords (IV). With Zn-Hg in AcOH-HCl, (I) gives

d ih y d r o d e o x y fo llic u la r horm on e, m. p. 129° (benzoate,

m. p. 166—167°), physiologically inactive. The hormone hydrate, when catalytically reduced, yields

h ex ah ydroh orm on e h y d ra te (V), m. p. 255—256° (A c 3

derivative, m. p. 135°). A keto-derivative of (V) was not obtained. (Ill) and the hydrate acetate are not attacked by Bz02H. The most probable type of formula is

c:o

-C„Hn

for the hydrate and hormone respectively (or a similar arrangement with the substituents at Cl8 and C14 occupying positions 5 and 1 3 ). The C* atom could then give rise to diastereoisomerides. J. H. B.

Appearance of menformone in the blood of male dogs after radium irradiation. P. ^E^{n g e l} (Wien. klin. Woch., 1 9 3 1 ,4 4 ,6 7 1 — 6 7 2; Chem. Zentr.,

1931, ii, 3 6 2 2 ).— 2 4 hr. after irradiation with Ra the blood of the male dogs contained considerable amounts of the female sexual hormone (3 5 0 0 — 1 0 ,0 0 0 mouse units per litre); 1000 units per litre could be detected even after 14 days. Irradiation of blood i n v itr o

produced no formation of hormone. Hence the female sexual hormone is not a sp. product of female sex glands, but it can be produced from other epi

thelial cells. L. S. T.

Probability of trie presence of a sex antagon

istic substance in urine. C. Fu n k and P. F . Ze fir o w (Science, 1932, 75, 5 6 4 — 565).-—Extracts from mixed male and female human urines inhibit the development of the sex organs in male and retard development in female rats. L. S. T.

7 8 2 B R I T I S H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S . A .

Relative vitamin-.-! and vitamin-D content of samples of cod-liver oil. (Miss) K.H. Co w a r d, F. J.

Dy e r, and (Miss) B. G. E. Morgan (Analyst, 1932, 57, 368—372).—The “ blue colour val.” of cod-liver oil is no indication of its vitaniin-i) potency. A high

“ blue val.” is, hi general, an indication of a high vitamin-A content, but not of its abs. val., since oils of the same colour val. may differ in vitamin val. by as much as 400%. Vitamin-D vals. are not pro

portional to vitamin-A vals. M. S. B.

Vitamin-.4 of the liver of Hippoglossus hippo- tjlossus. P. K a r r e r , E. R lu s s m a n n , and H. v o n E u l e r (Arkiv Kemi, Min., Geol., 1932, 10, B, No.

16, 4 pp.).—Halibut livers (7 kg.) were minced, mixed with Na3S04, and extracted with Et„0, yielding 3 kg.

of oil, 1 g. of which had 192 cod-liver oil units of vitamin-A. The oil showed absorption max. at 315, 32S, and 368 mg (cf. A., 1930, 1321; 1931, 529).

The unsaponifiable fraction was freed from sterols by COMe, followed by treatment with digitonin, 250 g.

of liver-oil yielding 420 mg. of sterols. The concen

trate had a potency 1200 times that of cod-liver oil.

One of 10.000 units has been prepared. The con

centrates had absorption bands at 315 and 328 mg which were stronger than those of the original oil.

Distillation of vitamin-A may be carried out at high

vac. (0-01 mm. Hg). F. 0. H.

Assessment of food and medicaments in re

gard to their vitamin-A content. A. Jung (Z.

Vitaminforsch., 1932, 1, 105—115).—200 B.U. (20 C.L.O.) is considered the min. daily requirement of vitamin-A and foods supplying more than 1000 B.U.

daily may be classified as “ very good,” those giving 200—1000 B.U. “ good,” 50—200 B.U. “ moderate,”

10—50 B.U. “ low.” A. L.

Vitamin-A and growth-promoting action of bird’s egg-yolks. H. ^{y o n}^E^{u d e r} an d E . Kl u s s-

m a n n (Z. physiol. Chem., 1932, 208, 50—54).—Spec

troscopic indications of the presence of vitamin-A in the yolk of hen’s eggs was obtained. J. H. B.

Growth-promotion and carotenoids. H. ^{v o n}

Eu l e r and ^{E . K}l u s s m a n n (Arkiv Kemi, Min'., Geol., 1932, 10, B, No. 20, 1—6).—Rats fed a vitamin-A - free diet together with carotene and thyroxine experience a wt.-increase significantly lower than that of rats receiving carotene alone, whilst controls receiving thyroxine suffer loss in wt. and ultimately die. Hence loss in wt. due to thyroxine is compen

sated by administration of carotene. The liver-fat of the carotene rats gives 2 Lovibond blue units per g.

with CHCl3-SbCl3, whilst that from the carotene-j- thyroxine rats gives a negative response. This inactivating action of thyroxine applies to carotenoids and vitamin-A occurring in the serum or stored in various organs. Xanthophyll is not only a growth- promoting- and reserve-factor in plants, but is also related to propagation; thus it is isolated from the wheat-grain by extraction with CS2. The absorption spectra of various carotenoids are determined and their relation to constitution is discussed. F. 0. H.

Vitamin of growth. III. isoCarotene. R.

Ku h n and E. Le d e r e r (Ber., 1932, 65, [B ], 637—

640; cf. A., 1931, 959, 1097).—isoCarotene is derived

exclusively from optically inactive ¡3-carotene; an analogous dye is not obtained from a-carotene under analogous conditions. Carotene tetraiodido in MeOH or EtOH is converted by Na2S203 mainly into [3- carotene; •isocarotene is not obtained from the solu

tion in pyridine. If the tetraiodide is dissolved in C6Hc, CS2, or C0Me2 and the solution is treated after some time with Na2S203, isocarotene, m. p. ISO—

181° (corr., Berl), is obtained; since immediate treatment regenerates [3-carotene, the success of tlie reaction depends on a previous isomerisat.ion of the tetraiodides which does not occur in MeOH, EtOH, COMeEt, although taking place in COMePh. iso

Carotene, C40H56 or possibly C40Hh , is spectroscopic

ally closely related to lvcopene, like which it absorbs 13 mols. of H2. The blue coloration of isocarotene with SbCl3 in CHC13 is very persistent, whereas that of lycopenc is fugitive. Unlike lycopene, isocarotene does not afford COMe, when degraded with 03.

H. W.

Effects of carotene and vitamin-A on oxid

ation of linoleic acid. B. R. ^Mo n a g h a n and F. 0.

Schmitt (J. Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 3S7—395).—In v itr o carotene and vitamin-A inhibit the oxidation of linoleic acid; oxidised carotene and oxidised vitamin-A do not inhibit this reaction. The sig

nificance of these results with reference to the meta

bolism of phospliolipins is discussed. H. D.

Crystalline vitamin-/} 4 obtained from yeast and rice poHshings. A. G. ^{v a n} Ve e n (Z. physiol.

Chem., 1932, 208, 125—128).—The author’s prep, based on Jansen and Donath’s method agrees in m. p. (no depression on mixing), chemical properties, and antineuritic activity with the prep, of Windaus

et a l. (this vol., 310). The most probable formula for the hydrochloride is Cj3H20O2N4S,2HC1.

J. H. B.

Vitamin-/?! and -JB2 in yeast. J. C. ^D ^{r u m} ^m ^{o n d} and J. hi. W h i t m a r s h (J. Inst, Brew., 1932, 38, 264—272).—Brewers’ and bakers’ yeast grown in natural media contains vitamin-Dj and - B 2. Brewing yeast (S . cerevisice) grown in a purified sugar-salts medium supplemented by a small amount of “ bios ” shows a definite falling off in the content of -B v but discloses no parallel reduction in - B 2 activity. Accord

ingly, vitamin-Dj is not synthesised, but is absorbed from the medium by the yeast, whilst the evidence, although unconvincing, supports the view that -B,

is synthesised. Certain other yeasts such as S . logos

grown in an artificial medium undoubtedly' symthesise

both - B 1 and - B 2. C. R.

Existence of a third vitamin-/} growth-factor for the rat. N. Ha l l id a y (J. Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 479—486).—A factor, probably vitamin-1%

appears to exist in whole wheat, supplementing

vitamins-Bj and -B3. J. B. B.

Carbohydrate tolerance in general avita

minosis and avitaminosis-jB. O. ^Ka u f f m a n n- Cosla, O. Vasilco, and S. Oe r iu(Z. physiol. Chem., 1932, 207, 113—124).—Administration of 6—8 \g.

of glucose per kg. of body-wt. to a dog receiving a complete diet produces no metabolic disturbance or increases in the C/N ratio of the urine. With full or B-avitaminosis, metabolic disturbances are

ob-B I O C H E M I S T R Y . 783

served on glucose feeding; carbohydrate tolerance decreases and may become negative, and the MeCHO and OH-CHMc-CO.,H contents of the urine are in

creased. These changes gradually diminish on administration of insulin. J. H. B.

Varying value of the ratio vitamin-D : carbo

hydrate with the constitution of the latter in certain equilibrium conditions of nutrition. L.

R In d o in and R. ^L^ecoq (Compt. rend. Soc. Biol., 1931, 108, 1041—1043; Chcm. Zentr., 1932, i, 968).—The vitamin-Ji requirement differs with the kind of carbohydrate administered, and it is the higher the more rapidly the sugar is utilised by the organism. With glucose it is double that with maltose, sucrose being intermediate. A. A. E.

Narcotine and vitamin-C. 0. ^R^{y g h} (Z. Vitamin- forsch., 1932, 1, 134—138).—Extraction of alkalino orange juico with Et20, after preliminary Et20 extraction of the untreated material, gives narcotine and an oil possessing antiscorbutic action, the yield of both products, especially the former, decreasing as the fruit ripens. Demethylation of the narcotine gives an o-diphenol having an antiscorbutic action, this property being also shown to a smaller degree by anhydrocotarninephthalide and methylnornarcotine.

Other derivatives of narcotine examined were without

antiscorbutic action. A. L.

Vitamin-C. 0. R,y g h (Angew. Cliem., 1932, 45, 307—309).—A review, particularly of narcotme chemistry (cf. this vol., 310). Pure methylnor- nareotine has been synthesised and will be tested

biologically. R. K. C.

Content of vitamin-D in commercial prepar

ations. W. ^He u b n e r and M. ^Fr e r ic h s (Arch. exp.

Path. Pliarm., 1932, 165, 553—570).—Biological testing of a considerable no. of commercial vitamin-D preps, led in general to confirmation of the potency claimed by the makers. The experimental error of the method of assay is considerable. W. O. K.

Stearin from cod-liver oil as source of vita- min-D. R. E. Ro berts (Poultry Sci., 1930, 9, 102—106).—Stearin from cod-liver oil, at 1% or more of the ration, prevented visible signs of rickets in chicks up to 8 weeks; 1—2% did not retard growth or affect mortality, but 4% retarded growth.

Ch. Ab s.

Antirachitic activation of ergosterol in ab

sence of oxygen. H. H. Be a r d, R. E. Bu r k, H. E.

Thompson, and H. Goldblatt (J. Biol. Chem., 1932, 96, 307—312).—Distillation alone does not, whilst irradiation with ultra-violet light does, activate ergosterol antirachitically. H. D.

Autoxidation of irradiation products of ergo

sterol. H. H. In h o f e e n and H. Ha u p t m a n n (Z.

physiol. Chem., 1932, 207, 259—266).—In irradiated ergosterol preps, there is present a substance (tachy- sterol) with absorption band at 280 mu, not identical

■with the vitamin, lumisterol, or suprasterols I and II. On oxidation this is replaced by a su bstan ce,

Hi- p. about 100°, [a]D —128-8°, with absorption band at 250 mg, which is in turn destroyed. The pure vitamin is stable, but becomes oxidisable in presence of the labile product. J. H. B.

Vitamin-D and spontaneous rickets in mon

keys. A. ^Ho tt ing er and A. ^N^{o h l e n} (Z. Vitamin- forsch., 1932,1,99—105).—Three cases of spontaneous rickets in monkeys are described. Large and pro

longed dosages of irradiated ergosterol were required for cure, and no indications of hypervitaminosis were

observed. ” A. L.

Effects of moderate overdosage of vitamin-D and of vitamins-yl and -D together on the growth rate and longevity of the white mouse. T. B.

Ro be r t so n, H. R. ^M^{a b st o n}^, M. C. ^Da w b a r n, J . W. ^Wa l t e r s, and J. D. 0. ^W^{il so n} (Austral. J. Exp.

Biol., 1932, 9, 203—212).—Daily administration of moderate overdoses (not more than 1000 mouse units) of vitamin-D has a beneficial effect on the growth of white mice and no detrimental effect on their longevity. The beneficial effect on tho growth of 50 rat units daily of vitamin-D is not sustained when accompanied by a moderate overdosago of

vitamin-A. W. M.

Vitamin-D requirements of poultry. L. E.

Card (Poultry Sci., 1929, ^{8 ,} 328—334).—Addition of 2% of w-heat-germ oil to a ration of yellow maize 60, wheat bran 15, wheat flour middlings 15, meat scrap 9, NaCl 1% did not improve the fertility or hatching power of the eggs. Ch. Abs.

Vitamin-D. E. VerzAr (Z. Vitaminforsch., 1932,

1, 116—134).—A review. A. L.

Is the chief value of milk for feeding poultry due to the presence of a new vitamin ? L. C.

No rris, G. F. ^H^{e u s e r}^, and H. S. ^W^{il o u s}^, jun.

(Poultry Sci., 1930, 9, 133—140).—Tho presence of a substance which prevents paralysis of the legs and feet and is indirectly grow-th-promoting is

postulated. ^C^h^{. A}^{b s}^.

Occurrence in chicks of a paralysis of nutritive origin. L. C. No rris, G. F. He u s e r, II. S. Wil o u s,

jun., and A. T. ^Rin g r o se (Poultry Sci., 1931, 10, 93—97).—Tho factor (cf. preceding abstract) is present also in a vitamin concentrate from milk, yeast, autoclaved yeast, and lucerne meal.

Ch. Ab s. Respirometer vessel for study of metabolism of seeds. P. S. ^T^{a n g} (J. Gen. Physiol., 1932, 15, 571—574).

Respiratory quotient of L u p i n u s a l b u s as a function of temperature. P. S. ^T^{a n g} (J. Gen.

Physiol., 1932,15,561—569).—The ratio R.Q. 18°/R.Q.

8° for germinating seeds of L . a lb u s agrees with the

theoretical val. A. L.

Intake of carbon dioxide by higher plants in an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide and con

tinuously illuminated. P. ^J^accard and O. ^J^aag (Ber. deut. bot. Ges., 1932, 50, 167—177).—Relations between respired C02 and tho intake of C02 by photosynthesis in a no. of plants are examined in continuous and intermittent light, and discussed in relation to photosynthetic activity and tho rate of translocation of carbohydrates. A. G. P.

Plants as electrical conductors. J. O. Mucco (Z. Pflanz. Dung., 1932, 24A, 334—341).—A difference of potential exists between the leaves of

784 B R I T I S H C H E M IC A L A B S T R A C T S .— A .

plants and the soil in the neighbourhood of the roots.

Variations in this p.d. are largely controlled by changes in temp. The passage of ions from soil to plant tissues increases with rise of temp, and the proportion of cations and anions in the plant depends on temp, and the nature of the charge on

the soil. A. G. P.

Suction force m easurem ents in cereals. F.

B e r k n e r and W. S c h l i m m (Landw. Jahrb., 1932, 75, 499—530).—The suction force of cereals varies with the origin of the seed and is closely related to the sugar content. High suction force is associated with high yielding power, low transpiration coefi., and, in the case of spring wheat, with drought-

resistance. A. G. P.

Catalase activity in relation to the growth curve in barley. M. N. P o p e (J. Agric. Res., 1932, 44, 343—355).—Catalase activity, as measured by the evolution of 02 from an intimate mixture of plant tissue and H202, is approx. proportional to tho reciprocal of the growth rate, maxima occurring during early germination, during development of the crown roots, and during early jointing. Three explanations are suggested. W. G. E.

Acceleration of the sprouting of potato tubers.

K. S n e l l (Ber. deut. bot. Ges. (Festschr.), 1932, 50A, 146—161).—Storage of tubers for four-day periods at 32°, 1°, and 32° in order, caused more rapid sprouting than storage at 20° throughout.

At 1° the transition of sugars to starch becomes

more rapid. A. G. P.

Effect of m ercury salts on germ ination of seed s. J. B o d n a r and L. E. R6th (Biochem. Z., 1932, 248, 375—382).—The toxic action of Hg salts on the germination of seeds (wheat) depends, not on the Hg ion, but on the solubility in lipins and hence the salts which ionise readily [Hg(N03)2, HgS04, Hg(OAc)2] have scarcely any action, whereas the less readily ionised salts [HgCl2, HgBr2, Hg(CN)2], which are more sol. in lipins, are rather toxic. The same reason explains why HgBr2 is more toxic than HgCl2, why the addition of alkali halides reduces the toxicity of Hg salts, why K salts act more powerfully than

W dokumencie British Chemical Abstracts. A. Pure Chemistry, July (Stron 114-118)