A physico-chemical and biochemical study of vitamin A2

Abstract

Measurements of the absorption intensities at 695. 650 and 620m[mu] of fish liver unsaponifiables in the presence of Sb trichloride with a Hilger Nutting Spectrophotometer showed that vit. A2 (693m[mu] chromogen) has 2 absorption bands in the colour test (693 and 650m[mu]). The 650mu band caused considerable absorption at 620m[mu].[long dash]The greatest conc. of vit. A2 (E 695m[mu]/E 620m[mu] = 2.0 to 2.8) was found in some fresh water fish livers (Lucioperca lucioverca, Esox lucius, Silurus giants) lower values (0.4-0.8) in Salmo varieties, in Cyprinus carpio, Acipenser sturio. Marine fish (Gadus merlangus, Hippoglossus h., Ishinagi sterelepis) and land animals such as sheep, chicken and frog had still lower ratios (0.03-0.27). A study of the intestinal tract of some fishes showed that the conc. of vit. A2 was highest in the liver and caeca, lowest in stomach and depot fat. Feeding expts. on rats and frogs showed that the presence of vit. A2 in the food increased the accumulation of this substance in the liver.