The Phenolic Acids of Urine—A Study of Methylation

Abstract

Normal human urine contains methanol largely as methoxylated compounds; a small quantity of free methanol is also present. The methoxylated compounds exist partly as ether-soluble compounds, for example methylated phenolic acids, and partly as methoxylated compounds not extracted by ether from acid solution. The latter may be related chemically to quercitrin. Feeding experiments suggest that 3,4-dihydroxyphenolic substances are largely methylated while with other phenolic substances methylation is minimal.