R. Bassette

Regeneration of carbonyl compounds from 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones with sulfuric acid

A simple, rapid method employing sulfuric acid and water to regenerate earbonyl compounds from 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones is presented. The method was evaluated by using a number of DNP-hydrazones of alkanals, alkan-2-ones, and 2-alkenals and was found to give recoveries ranging from 23 to 61%. The procedure makes possible rapid organoleptic observations and is well adapted for recovery of the free carbonyl compounds for other studies.

Body fluid ketones related to fasting, diabetes, and tests of blood glucose tolerance☆

Abstract Head space sampling over biological fluids for gas chromatographic analysis provides a rapid, reliable method for measuring volatile materials at trace levels. Its usefulness is shown by monitoring changes in fluid ketones during fasting and during blood glucose tolerance tests. Blood and urine acetone levels are reported for diabetics. Acetone, butanone, and 2-pentanone increased in blood and urine of fasting subjects. These changes are plotted for five adults during 40 hours of fasting. Similar plots were made for three children during a 27-hour fast. Changes in blood and urine acetone concentrations during blood glucose tolerance tests of 14 individuals were observed. Plasma acetone levels dropped by about 40% at the 2-hour glucose tolerance sample but were back to normal at 4 hours. Urine acetone levels continued to decrease even up to 4 hours after administration of glucose. Diabetic blood and urine ketone pictures were similar to those for fasting individuals.