of methylene-blue caused a decolor- isation at the commencement, but with the onset

of autolvsis the colour returned. Individual examin­

ation at p n 7-6 of the dried mould, an extract of the mould obtained after boiling for 1 hr., a mould which had been washed with water for 24 hrs., and the medium freed from the mould showed that the reduction was not due to the mould alone. The strongest reduction was obtained when the dried mould and the medium were used together. Whilst the extract showed no reduction and the washed mould a diminished reduction, together these gave an increased reduction. Anaerobiosis caused a de­

crease in the reducing power of the mould which, however, fell less rapidly with age, whereas that of the eulture medium varied with age, increasing to a maximum on the eighth day. The glutathione content of the dried mould determined by the method

of Tunnicliffe (A., 1925, i, 752) was found to be 0-2—0-5%. Aerobic cultures showed a maximum glutathione content after 4 days, which gradually decreased, and no positive sodium nitroprusside reaction was obtained at the end of 5 months.

Anaerobic cultures contained approximately one half of the glutathione content of aerobic cultures, but its rate of disappearance was much slower, glutathione being detectable at the end of 5 months. The gluta­

thione content of the medium increased up to the eleventh day in aerobic cultures, when it reached the recorded glutathione content of blood (0-01—0-02%), whilst under anaerobic conditions, although the amount of glutathione formed was smaller, it re­

mained unchanged for a longer period.

C. C. N . Va s s. In fluence of carbon m o n o x id e on th e m e ta ­ b o lis m of m o u ld s. H. Ta m i y a (Acta Phyto­

chim., 1929, 4, 313—326).—The growth and intensity of respiration of Aspergillus oryzce have been observed in varying concentrations of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. During short periods of growth, e.g., 4 days, carbon monoxide does not inhibit respir­

ation, but causes slight destruction of the living

cells. C. C. N . Va s s.

B io c h e m ic a l sy n th e sis of fu m a r ic from p y ru vic acid. A. Go t t s c h a l k (Z. physiol. Chem., 1929, 182, 311—312).— Contrary to the results previously described (A., 1926, 545; 192S, 804), and in agreement with Ehrlich and Bender’s observations (A., 1928, 95, 804), the author lias been unable to obtain fumaric acid during the growth of Rliizopus nigricans on a pyruvic acid-mineral salt or a Isovulose- mineral salt medium. H . Bu r t o n.

F u n g icid a l a ction of su lp h u r. III. T oxicity of h y d ro g en su lp h id e and th e in tera ctio n of su lp h u r w ith fu n gi. R. W. Ma r s h (J. Pomology, 1929, 7, 237—250).—Experiments are described showing the high toxicity of hydrogen sulphide to germinating spores of several species of fungi. The addition of powdered sulphur to spores of Monilia fructigena inhibits germination, whereas Bolrytis cinerea is unaffected b y this treatment. The same effect can be obtained when sulphur is placed on a flowering plant bearing these spores. These experi­

ments are thought to indicate that sulphur is toxic to these fungi only by virtue of the hydrogen sulphide produced and that a fungus sensitive to sulphur is one which can reduce sulphur. E. A. Lu n t.

T yp e III p n eu m oco cci. A. St u l l (J. Biol.

Chem., 1929, 82, 641—650).—The specific soluble carbohydrate of Heidelberger and Goebel (A., 1927, 77, 1114) could be isolated from an unbuffered culture medium after 18 hrs.’ growth of type III pneumococci.

The organisms were separated, dried, and extracted successively with a variety of solvents. The whole of the specific soluble carbohydrate (the only specific precipitating material found) was contained in the distilled-water extract of the fat-free material.

C. R. Ha r i n g t o n. E ffect of tin on tu b ercle b a c illu s. N. Dos Santos (Compt. rend. Soc. Biol., 1929, 101, 3S3—

3S4).—Stannous chloride in concentrations of 1 to

BIOCHEMISTRY. 959 5000 does not affect the growth of the tubercle

bacillus. E. Bo y l a n d.

C olorim etric and b io lo g ic a l d eterm in a tio n of the adrenaline co n ten t of th e su p ra ren a ls of rabbits. M. Wa t a n a b e and H. Sat o (Tohoku J.

Exp. Med., 1928, 11, 433—448).— With the cortical suprarenal substance of rabbits, the method of Folin, Cannon, and Denis gave a positive reaction, whilst the biological methods did not. For the total gland,

| this method gave higher values than did the biological or Suto and Inouye’s method.

Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s. D eterm in ation of ad ren alin e in th e su p raren al extract fr o m oxen , p ig s , ca ts, d o g s, an d rab b its.

T. Su g a w a r a (Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1928,11, 410—

432).—Biological and colorimetric methods were compared. The values obtained were, apparently, not related to the. method of extraction. Adrenaline diffuses from the medulla to the cortex after extirp­

ation of the gland, particularly on manipulation of the capsule. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.

A d renaline an d hyperglycaem ia. G. S. Ea d i e

(Amer. J. Physiol., 1929, 89, 46— 49).—The increased hlood-sugar in adrenaline hyperglycaemia is derived from the liver, not from the muscles.

E. Bo y l a n d. H orm on e co n ten t of th e u rin e of th e p regn an t fem ale. M. M. Mai n o (Arch. 1st. Biochim. Ital., 1929, 1, 95— 104).—Allen and Doisy’s biological test shows that the ovarian hormone appears in the urine in amounts sufficient to cause oestrus in castrated experimental animals only at about the middle of the fourth month of pregnancy. During the first months of pregnancy the urine contains a hormone acting mainly on the ovary, in which it determines the appearance of mature follicles, haemorrhage, and atresic corpora lutea. This hormone is undoubtedly different from the ovarian hormone and as it does not occur in appreciable proportions during non­

pregnancy, its presence serves for the early diagnosis

of pregnancy. T. H . Po p e.

D e x tr o se -in su lin eq u ilib riu m . J. P. B ouc-

k aer t, P. De n a y e r, and R. Kr e k e l s (Compt. rend.

Soc. Biol., 1929, 101, 511—512).—The amount of dextrose necessary to maintain the blood-sugar after insulin administration is relatively much less for large doses of insulin. E. Bo y l a n d.

A ction of in su lin on th e carb a m id e of th e blood. A. C. Ma r ie (Compt. rend. Soc. Biol., 1929, 101, 445—447).—Insulin reduces the high carbamide concentration produced by administration of adren­

aline. E. Bo y l a n d.

M od ification of in su lin a ction in m e d u lli- ad ren al-in activated ca ts b y p o st-p itu ita ry extracts. E. M. K. Ge l l in g, S. W. Br i t t o n, and H ._0. Ca l v e r y (J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1929, 36, 235—241).—Simultaneous injection of pituitary ex­

tract and insulin prevents, diminishes, or retards the hypoglycaemia and convulsions produced when insulin is administered in adequate doses to normal and medulliadrenal-inactivated unanaesthetised cats.

Medulliadrenal-inactivated animals are the more sensitive to insulin and require larger doses of pituit­

ary extract than' normal animals to protect them equally against the insulin. Pituitary extract ad­

ministered during insulin hypoglycsemia may abolish severe convulsions and muscular weakness without an appreciable rise in blood-sugar. Post-pituitary liquid and adrenaline produce hyperglycaemia in cats when the adrenal medulla was evacuated and the hepatic nerves were severed. This effect was much less than with normal animals. F. C. Ha p p o l d.

A c tio n of e x tr a c t of p itu ita r y on th e b lo o d - su g a r after p a n createcto m y. C. G . Im r ie (J.

Physiol., 1929, 67, 264—269).—The injection of pituitrin up to 44 hr s. after administration of insulin to a depancreatised dog causes a rise in blood-sugar.

If the pituitrin is given 70 hrs. after the insulin this rise does not occur. The extra sugar is derived from liver, not from muscle-glycogen. E. Bo y l a n d.

S ta n d a r d isa tio n of th y roid p rep a ration s. J. R.

Mo rch (J. Physiol., 1929, 67, 221—241).—The value of thyroid preparations is determined by their effect on the carbon dioxide production of white mice under special conditions. I t is claimed that the results are significant to within 33%. E. Bo y l a n d.

O ccu rren ce of vita m in -yl in b lo od and b lo od - se r u m of d o m e stic a n im a ls, c o w ’s m ilk , m ilk p ro d u cts, and foo d stu ffs. B. R osio (Z. physiol.

Chem., 1929, 182, 289—304).—The vitamin-^4 colour reaction (antimony chloride) has been applied to the blood-serum from the horse, cow, sheep, and goat.

Quantitative measurements (obtained by matching the colour produced in a Lovibond tintometer) show that with increase in the age of the horse and cow the vitamin content decreases. Pregnant cows and mares show generally an increased value ; this appears to depend somewhat on age. For cows the mean vitamin content is about three times as high as for horses. The vitamin content of cow’s blood is one half that of the serum. The vitamin-/! con­

tent of cow’s milk increases with increase in the amount of fat p resent; a similar relationship is found for butter. Swedish turnip (rutabaga), white mangold, and soya meal give colour reactions, whilst turnip does not. H . Bu r t o n.

V itam in -/* fr o m b r e w e r ’s y ea st. A. Se i d e l l

(J. Biol. Chem., 1929, 82, 633— 640).— On treat­

ment of an aqueous solution of the antineuritic con­

centrate previously described (A., 1926, 644) with benzoyl chloride and sodium carbonate, followed by extraction with chloroform, much of the nitrogenous material passed into the chloroform, whilst most of the physiological activity remained in the aqueous solution. The latter was poured into 4 vols. of acetone, yielding a precipitate of salts together with 90% of the active principle; in this form, 0-15 mg.

of nitrogen represents the daily protective dose for a

pigeon. C. R. Ha r in g t o n.

A n tin eu ritic and w a te r-so lu b le B v ita m in s in beef an d pork . R. Ho a g l a n d (J. Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 431— 446).—Dried lean pork, fresh and smoked hams, and dried lean beef have been tested on pigeons with respect to their contents in anti­

neuritic and water-soluble B vitamins. The results

960 BRITISH CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS.— A.

indicate that dried lean pork is a good source of the antineuritic vitamin. E. A. Lu n t.

P h y sio lo g y of v ita m in s . V II. H aem oglobin, so lid s, su g a r, and ch lorid e ch a n g es in th e b lood of vitam in-JS-deficient d o g s. C. J. St u c k y and W. B. Ro s e (Amer. J. Physiol., 1929, 89, 1—17).—

The blood-sugar of vitamin-5-deficient dogs remained normal, whilst the blood-chloride fell sometimes to a marked extent; anhydrsemia developed accompanied b y an increase in the haemoglobin content of the blood. Starvation occurs on account of inefficient utilisation of food and reduced water consumption.

E. Bo y l a n d. V ita m in a ction and su rfa ce activity. II.

A n tisco r b u tic a ction of p la n t ju ices and th eir su rface activity. N. E. Sc h e p il e v s k a j a (Bio- chem. Z., 1929, 208, 334— 351).—The antiscorbutic action of a number' of plant juices (of turnip, beet, radish, carrot, cabbage, etc.) is shown to run approxi­

m ately parallel with their surface activities.

P. W. Cl u t t e r b t jc k. E ffect of d ry in g and of su lp h u r d io x id e on a n tisco rb u tic p ro p erty of fr u its. A. F. Mo r g a n

and A. Fi e l d (J. Biol. Chem., 1929, 82, 579—586).—

Sun-drying or dehydration of untreated peaches caused destruction of their antiscorbutic properties;

the latter were, however, not aifected by drying if the fruit were first treated with sulphur dioxide.

C. R. Ha r i n g t o n. V itam in -7) and faecal reaction . A. L . Ba c h a-

r a c h and H . Je p h c o t t (J. Biol. Chem., 1929, 82, 751—758).—A reply to the criticisms of Sholil and Bing (A., 1928, 1288) and Oser (this vol., 210) of the authors’ method (A., 192S, 332) for the determination of vitamin-D. C. R . Ha r i n g t o n.

S p e ctr o g ra p h ic e x a m in a tio n of lip in s. V.

Br u s t i e r and L . Bu g n a r d (Compt. rend. Soc. Biol., 1929, 101, 420— 421).—The total lipins extracted from a rabbit apparently contained ergosterol.

E. Bo y l a n d. C om p o sition of bone. VI. E ffect of m a s s iv e d o se s of irra d ia te d e r g o ster o l. B. Kr a m e r, M . J. Sh e a r, and M . R . McKe n z ie (J. Biol. Chem.,

1929,82,555—557; cf. A., 1928,1271).—No deviation from the normal was observed in the residual Ca : P ratio of the bones of growing rats as the result of administration of massive doses of irradiated ergosterol. C. R . Ha r i n g t o n.

A n tira c h itic action of ce rta in ch o leste ro lic lip in s of th e sn a il (H elix p o m a tid ). G. Mo u r i-

q u a n d and A. Le u l i e r (Compt. rend., 1929, 188, 1701— 1702).—An irradiated mixture of cholesterol and lipins derived from Helix pomatia possesses powerful antirachitic properties. C. W. Sh o p p e e.

V egetab le a s s im ila tio n and re sp ira tio n . XX.

P h o to sy n th e sis in g re en p la n ts. G. E. Br ig g s

(Proc. R oy. Soc., 1929, B , 105, 1— 35).—Experi­

ments have been carried out on the determination of photosynthetic efficiency in the following portions of the visible spectrum : 4300—5100, 5100—5600, 5700—6400 A., the efficiency for comparative pur­

poses being defined as the volume of carbon dioxide reduced per unit of energy absorbed. For the plants

tested, Phaseolus vulgaris, Sambucus nigra, yellow and green elm, the efficiency decreased with decreas­

ing wave-length. Comparison is made of these with existing data and theoretical considerations are advanced showing that, contrary to Warburg and Negelein’s conclusions, the number of quanta required for the reduction by the plant of a molecule of carbon dioxide increases discontinuously with increasing

wave-length. E . A. Lu n t.

P e r m e a b ility of p la n t c e lls in r e la tio n to the a ction of m e r c u r y on see d s. A. Nie t h a m m e r

(Z. physikal. Chem., 1929, 142, 309—319).—The occurrence of mercury in plants grown from seed which has been in contact with various organic mer­

cury compounds has been investigated. In general inappreciable quantities of mercury appear in the

plant. H. F. Gi l l b e.

P ro toch lo ro p h y ll. W. H. Ey s t e r (Science, 1928, 68, 569—570).—The work of Liro (Ann. Acad.

Scient. Fennicse, 1909, 1) and others indicates that protochlorophyll is not a decomposition product, but is a pigment which develops independently of light and changes to chlorophyll on insolation, probably in the presence only of a specific enzyme.

L. S. Th e o b a l d. [D etection of g e r m in a b le se e d s by] determ in­

a tio n of aceta ld eh y d e [content] b y Griebel's m icr o -m e th o d . A . Ni e t h a m m e r (Mikrochem., 1929, 7, 227—230).— The acetaldehyde content is determined approximately, preferably after a pre­

liminary swelling in water, by Griebel’s method (A., 1928, 82). Non-germinable seeds contain little or no acetaldehyde. J . S. Ca r t e r.

T ra n slo c a tio n of p o ta s s iu m in to m a to plants and its re la tio n to th e ir carb oh yd rate and nitro­

g e n d istrib u tio n . G. Ja n s s e nandR . P. Ba r t h o l o­

m e w (J . Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 447— 465).— Tomato plants grown on a nutrient solution with low potass­

ium content show an increase in the percentage of dry matter, and high total and soluble nitrogen con­

tents. There appears to be an optimum potassium concentration conducive to the normal assimilation of carbohydrate compounds. E . A. Lu n t.

D e term in a tio n of in o r g a n ic n itro g en in plant e x tr a c ts. A. C. Se s s i o n s and J . W. Sh iv e (Plant Physiol., 1928, 3, 499—511).—The aqueous extract is deproteinised with 10% acetic acid and con­

centrated to 500 c .c .; ammonia is determined in 50 c.c. by Folin’s aspiration method after addition of saturated sodium carbonate solution (50 c.c.) and sodium chloride (5 g.). Sodium hydroxide (to 0-125AT) and Devarda’s alloy are added, and the ammonia is determined by aspiration.

Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s. [M oistu re in] w h ea t g ro w n u n d er con stan t co n d itio n s. I, II. H. L . v a n d e Sa n d e-Ba k-

h u y z e n (Plant Physiol., 192S, 3, 1— 30).—Moisture determinations suggest that the imbibition capacity of the plasma-colloids, which is maintained by the growth hormones as long as a vegetative point is present, decreases, by the act of fertilisation, as soon as the growing point is virtually lost to the vegetative plant. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.

BIOCHEMISTRY. 961 Influence of th e m a ltin g p r o c e ss on th e fa t of

barley. K. Tä u f e l and M. Ru s c h (Biochem. Z., 1929, 209, 55—61).—The fat of barley is composed chiefly of glycerides of palmitic, stearic, oleic, lino- leic, and linolenic acids. During the process of ger­

mination of the grain there is a loss of almost 11 % of dry material, about 12% of this loss being in the fat.

It is chiefly the oleic acid which disappears from the fat. There is probably also some conversion of the oleic acid into stearic acid. Special biological signifi­

cance is attached to the fact that there is formation and accumulation of unsaponifiable matter in the fat during the process of germination.

W. McCa r t n e y. C ytological stu d y of w a te r-so lu b le and fat- soluble c o n stitu e n ts of C itru s. J. Du f r e n o y (J.

Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 411-—429).—The natural colouring process of the Citrus fruit is concomitant with starch transference from the chloroplasts in the cells of the three upper layers in the peel. The fat bodies then develop in the chloroplasts and the orange pigment th at gives the fruit its colour dis­

solves in the fat bodies. The same process can be effected artificially by treatment with ethylene.

Excitation of the epidermal cells of the fruit by light freezing results in permanent injury of the cell and hence of the fruit. E. A. Ltjnt.

C atalase and o x id a se of th e to m a to as influenced b y th e s o il reaction . E. S. Ha b e r

(Iowa State Coll. J . Sei., 1928, 3, 29—39).—The catalase was lowest with soil of 6-5-—7; soil reaction had no effect on oxidase. Catalase was highest in green mature fruits, and oxidase in ripe fruits. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.

C om p osition of p in eap p le p la n ts. F . G. Kr a u s s

(Ernähr. Pflanze, 1928, 24, 398—400; Chem. Zentr., 1929, i, 662).—Results of analyses of the pineapple plant at various stages of growth are recorded. The ash is high in potassium and silica.

A. A. El d r t d g e. P h ytolacca. G. E. Je n k i n s (J . Amer. Pharm.

Assoc., 1929, 18, 573— 576).—Alcoholic extract of air-dried poke root (Phytolacca Americana, Linn6) (moisture content about 9-0%; ash 9-4%) contains a small amount of an essential oil, 0-21% of potassium nitrate, and 0-16% of a gum which gives character­

istic tests for alkaloids. C. C. N. Va s s. C on stitu en ts of Ccesaljrinia B on du cella n u t (Flem). I. B o n d u cella n u t oil. S. N. Go d b o l e, O. R. Pa r a n j p e, and J. G . Sh r i k i i a n d e (J. Indian Chem. Soc., 1929, 6, 295—302).—Extraction of the dried kernels with light petroleum yields 20% of a pale-yellow oil, d'fl 0-9215, nm. 1-4750, saponification value 199-5— 200-5, iodine value (Winkler) 127, Hehner value 93. The oil-free kernels on further extraction with alcohol give saponin and a bitter glucoside, containing almost all the sulphur in the n u t: when extraction is carried out with 2% hydro­

chloric acid, a substance (chars without melting at 295°) is obtained. Hydrogenation of the oil is possible with a nickel-pumico catalyst at 180°;

poisoning of the catalyst occurs frequently as with mustard oils. As saturation of the oil proceeds the values of n decrease in almost a linear function.

The percentage composition of the acids isolated from the oil is linoleic (61-4), oleic (21-6), palmitic (10), and stearic (5-79). Sitosterol is present in the unsaponifiable matter (1-5% of original oil). The oil has an inhibiting action on castor-seed lipase.

H. Bu r t o n. L ob elin e-lik e su b sta n ce iso la te d fr o m th e ro o ts of L obelia sessilifo lia , L. S. Ku b o t a, S. Na k a-

s h im a, and R. Ito (Chinese J. Physiol., 1929, 3, 278—286).—A crystalline hydrochloride, m. p. 180—

190°, possessing alkaloidal properties, has been isolated. Like that of lobeline, with which it may be identical, it acts as a respiratory stimulant.

C. C. N. Va s s. l-A sp a ra g in e in th e fr esh flo w e rs of V iex eu ropam s, L. M. Br i d e l (J. Pharm. Chim., 1929, [viii], 9, 112— 113).—See this vol., 477.

iso S a k u ra n etin fr o m th e flo w e rs of P seiid a eg le trifo lia ta . S. Ha t t o r i (Acta Phytochim., 1929, 4, 219—226).—When the dried flowers of P . trifoliata, Makino, are extracted with 50% alcohol, concentrated, and then boiled with 3% hydrochloric acid for 30 min., a dark brown substance separates on keeping. Purific­

ation from alcohol affords tsosakuranetin, m. p.

194— 195° (Shinodo and Sato, this vol., 189), which gives a purplisli-red colour with alcoholic ferric chlor­

ide. The following derivatives have been prepared : methyl ether, m. p. 117— 118° (loc. cit.); ethyl ether, m. p. 115°, by the action of diazoethane; acetyl derivative, m. p. 114—-115°; benzoyl derivative, m. p.

143°. Fusion with potassium hydroxide gives phloro- glucinol and anisic acid. C. C. N. Va s s.

P r o te in s of th e g in k g o . M . Fu r u i c h i (Bull.

Tottori Higher Agric. Sch., 1928, 1, 105— 132).—

Ginkgo contains starch 69-6, protein 12, fat 3%;

the ash of the seed contains K > 0 40-6, N a20 8-4, CaO 4-8, F e 20 3+ A120 3 3-7, P 20 5 21-6, S 0 3 8-3, S i0 2 4-9%. Of the total nitrogen, 60% is present as a globulin, ginkgoin. The point of,maximum surface tension observed when hydrochloric acid is added to an alkaline solution of the globulin, albumin, protamine, or glutelin corresponds approximately with that of maximum turbidity.

Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s. P r o te in s of th e so y a b ean . T. Ta d o k o r o and K . To s h im u r a (Hokkaido J. Agric., 1928, 20, 355—

362).—The ash and phosphorus contents decrease, and the nitrogen content increases, in the order legumelin, glycinin, glutelin. The free amide-nitrogen decreases in the order glycinin, glutelin, legumelin.

The melanin-nitrogen is highest in glycinin, the histidine-nitrogen in legumelin, and the lysine- nitrogen in glutelin. Glycinin is the most highly condensed protein present. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.

S p e cia l c o n stitu e n ts of tha so y a b ean . S.

Mu r a m a t s u (M em . P u b . M o rio k a A g r ic . C o ll., 1928, 1— 15).— T h e fo llo w in g c o m p o u n d s w ere is o la t e d : a hydroxy-acid, C50H 50O20, m . p . 240°; le c ith in (from t h e o il fr o m s k in a n d c o ty le d o n s , 0-64%; fr o m t h e r e s id u e a ft e r e x t r a c t io n w it h e t h y l a lc o h o l, s k in 0-07%, c o t y le d o n s 0-78%); a sterol, a n d a n alcohol, C24H320 8, m . p . 235°. Ch e m ic a l Ab s t r a c t s.

P h y to -p h a rm a c o lo g y of leu cin es and cy stin e s.

D. I . Ma c h t (J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1929, 36, 243—

962 BRITISH CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS.— A.

250).—The effects of leucine and cystine on the growth of Lupinus albus seedlings in nutrient solu­

tions have been studied. The /-acids were pharma­

cologically more active than the d!-acids in their action on growth. Combination of the stereoisomer - ides of both acids produced an effect on grpwth which could not be explained as a mean effect of the two components. F. C. Ha p p o l d.

O ccu rren ce of ch lo ra te s in a to m a to so il. 0 .

O ccu rren ce of ch lo ra te s in a to m a to so il. 0 .

W dokumencie British Chemical Abstracts. A. Pure Chemistry, August (Stron 100-104)