HEAT DECOMPOSITION PRODUCT OF FLAVIN ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract

The heat-decomposition product of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is identical to "the 4th flavin compound" which is formed from the liver homogenates upon heating. An alkaline solution (pH 8.0) of FAD is heated in an autoclave (20 lbs. pressure steam) for 2 hr., passed through a Florisil column, washed with 2% acetic acid, and eluted with 5% aqueous pyridine. The pyridine is removed at pH 8.0 by shaking with CHCl3, the solution concentrated under reduced pressure and the compound crystallized (yield 72%, purity 44%). For further purification the yellowish powder obtained is dissolved, in 2 ml water, adsorbed on a cellulose powder column, and developed by an n-butanol-n-propanol-water mixture (22:1). The colored zone of "4th compound" is eluted with warm water, and crystallized from 80% alcohol, as fine plate crystals (yield 36%).