Robert V. Smith

Microbial models of mammalian metabolism. Aromatic hydroxylation

Abstract The potential for selected microorganisms to hydroxylate aromatic substrates in a manner analogous to mammalian systems has been studied. Based on literature precedence and prior experience, 11 microorganisms were chosen from among a variety of genera of fungi and bacterial species and were incubated with 13 model compounds including acetanilide, acronycine, aniline, anisole, benzene, benzoic acid, biphenyl, chlorobenzene, coumarin, naphthalene, nitrobenzene, trans -stilbene, and toluene. In most instances, the microbial model system yielded patterns of phenolic metabolites similar to those reported with cytochrome P 450 monooxygenases of hepatic microsomes and/or in vivo mammalian systems. Furthermore, N -acetylation of aniline, N -deacetylation of acetanilide, and O -demethylation of anisole were found with certain organisms. The potential usefulness of microbial systems for the synthesis of preparative quantities of mammalian metabolites of foreign organic compounds is discussed.

Trichloroethyl esters as derivatives for gas chromatography with electron capture detection

Abstract Esters of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol were studied as derivatives for gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The ester derivatives of ten model benzenoid carboxylic acid were prepared and characterized. Good gas chromatographic development of these compounds was observed and their separation was achieved on a 3% OV-17 column. A rapid and quantitative esterification technique was developed for small scale preparation based on reaction with 2,2,2-trichloroethanol in trifluoroacetic anhydride. The trichloroethyl esters were found to be sensitively measured with a nickel-63 electron capture detector.

Selective Colorimetric Analysis of Apomorphine in Liver Fractions

Abstract A sensitive, accurate, and precise method for determining apomorphine in mammalian liver fractions has been developed, based on reaction with blue tetrazolium. The devised procedure shows no interference from 0-methyl metabolites and has been utilized in analyzing apomorphine in liver fractions from four species of animals.

The chemistry and quantitative utility of Sodium Cobaltinitrite in the determination of phenols

Abstract The reaction of p-cresol with acidified cobaltinitrite has been qualitatively and quantitatively studied. On an analytical scale, the reaction predominantly leads to 2-nitro-p-cresol. The dimer of this compound has also been identified as a minor product. Two methods have been devised for quantitative analysis. These procedures represent rapid, accurate and precise techniques for analyzing p-cresol and may be applicable to other p-substituted phenols.

Analysis of chloride in amine hydrochlorides and quaternary ammonium chlorides by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The atomic absorption analysis of chloride in amine salts has been studied. The method employed is based on measurement of excess silver following precipitation of chloride with silver nitrate. Eleven quaternary amine chlorides, possessing diverse structures, have been successfully analyzed. The accuracy and precision of the atomic absorption method compares favorably with results obtained with mercurimetric and Fajans titrimetric procedures.