The Reduction of Haematin and Methaemoglobin

Abstract

Ferric tartrate can be used in place of K ferricyanide for the reduction of hemoglobin to methemoglobin. This reduction requires one H equivalent per atom of Fe. The precipitation of the methemoglobin by ferric tartrate does not alter the essential properties of this protein. Since it is not denatured it can again be set free as oxyhemoglobin. The reduction of hematin to reduced hematin or to pyridine hemochromogen requires the same H equivalent per atom of Fe as the reduction of hemoglobin.