Stewart C. Harvey

Investigations into the method of anton and sayre for the separation and determination of histamine

Abstract 1. 1. Recoveries in the procedure of Anton and Sayre were investigated with 14 C-labelled histamine and spermidine. 2. 2. The recovery of histamine was much lower than that reported by the above-named authors. An overall recovery of only about 25% was found. 3. 3. Solid K 2 HPO 4 sequesters histamine in the isopentanol extraction (step 1) and thus severely limits the recovery in that step and compromises the overall recovery. 4. 4. Finely powdered K 2 HPO 4 decreases the recovery more than does the commercial crystalline product. 5. 5. Spermidine is poorly extracted in the isopentanol step (step 1), in agreement with Anton and Sayre.