Studies in detoxication. 82. The fate of benzoic acid in some domestic and other birds

Abstract

Benzoic acid has been administered to 9 species of birds, namely the domestic fowl, turkey, goose, Muscovy duck, domestic pigeon, wood pigeon, Barbary dove, carrion crow and grey African parrot. All these species of birds excrete benzoyl glucuronide. The domestic fowl, turkey, goose and Muscovy duck also excreted L( + )-ornithuric acid but no hip-puric acid. The domestic pigeon, wood pigeon and Barbary dove also excreted hippuric acid but no ornithuric acid. The carrion crow and grey African parrot did not appear to excrete hippuric acid or ornithuric acid. [carboxy-C14] Benzoic acid was administered to hens and pigeons. The hens excreted about 25-30% of the dose (240 mg/kg) as glucuronide and 40-50% as ornithuric acid in 24 hr. The pigeons excreted 25-30% of the dose (200 mg/kg) as glucuronide and 60% as hippuric acid in 18.5 hr. Chicken feces contain an enzyme which decomposes L( + )-ornithuric acid via N5-benzoylornithine. Monobenzoylornithines were not found as metabolites of benzoic acid in hens.