Harold J. Nicholas

CONSTITUENTS OF THE HYDROCARBON FRACTION OF BEEF BRAINS.

Abstract A hydrocarbon fraction previously detected in acetone concentrates of beef brains has been found to contain squalene. In addition, a homologous series of saturated, branched hydrocarbons ranging in size from approximately C 10 to C 30 was indicated by gas chromatography and other criteria. The possibility of paraffin hydrocarbons being present was indicated also. The presence of squalane was strongly indicated among these hydrocarbons, although more rigorous proof will be necessary to establish its identity with certainty.

Isolation of a mixture of hydrocarbons from beef brains

Abstract Following the removal of cholesterol from acetone extracts of fresh beef brains, a concentrate was obtained which upon saponification yielded a fragrant neutral fraction. From this complex mixture two hydrocarbons were isolated as trace constituents of the original brain tissue. Tentative formulas for these substances are C9H16 (two double bonds) and C27H54 (one double bond).

A study of vaginal acids.

Abstract Four acids have been identified in the vaginal washings of all patients examined during this investigation: pyruvic acid, and the amino acids, glutamic acid, threonine, and leucine. Pyruvic acid appeared to be present in trace amounts. Quantitative assessment of the others has not been determined. Several other amino acids were indicated in a number of the washings, but their presence was not consistent for all samples investigated. Lactic acid was probably present in all samples, but its presence was not definitely verified.

Biosynthesis and metabolism of [14C]sclareol

Abstract The incorporation of sodium[2-14C]acetate and [2-14C]mevalonic acid into sclareol and digitonon-precipitable sterol (largely β-sitosterol) of Salvia sclarea was studied over intervals of 4 h to 1 week. The incorporation of both precursors into sclareol at all intervals was practically nil; incorporation into sterol and a partially purified acidic triterpene fraction was low but significant, in agreement with previously published work. The incorporation of [2-14C]mevalonic acid in high percentage into fractions containing the diterpene and sterol, respectively, suggest competition for the labeled substrates by some other (and unknown) terpenoid substances within the plant. A high degree of compartmentalization, restricting access of labeled substrate to the synthetic site, may also account for the low degree of incorporation of [2-14C]mevalonic acid into sclareol. [14C]Sclareol of high specific activity was obtained by exposing plant cuttings to 14CO2. A differential rate of incorporation of 14CO2 into sclareol and β-sitosterol was observed; its significance is not known. Possible metabolism of sclareol to other substance within S. sclarea was indicated by a preliminary experiment.