No abstract

The addition of small amounts of CCl4 to ethanolic solutions of α‐tocopherol, vitamin A acetate or β‐carotene caused destruction of these fat‐soluble compounds. The oxidation product of α‐tocopherol was identified as α‐tocopheryl quinone by UV and IR spectral analysis. Maximum conversion to the quinone occurred with a ratio of CCl4 to ethanol of 25∶75 (v/v).

A simple method for analyzing rat liver for CoQ and α-tocopherol is outlined. This method has distinct advantages over the previous methods described in the literature because the time-consuming steps of column chromatography and spectrophotometric assay of the many column fractions have been eliminated. The time required for sample analysis has been approximately halved. The method has four steps: (a) saponification of the tissue lipids in a nitrogenous atmosphere and extraction of the non-saponifiable lipid fraction, (b) TLC of the extract, (c) extraction of CoQ and α-tocopherol from their bands on the TLC plates, and (d) colorimetric assay of each compound. The bands after TLC were easily detected because of a fluorescent indicator, and the separation and recoveries were good.

The selenium content in tissues of rats fed chronically toxic levels of selenium was determined by neutron activation analysis. The results were highly dependent on the value of the 77mSe half-life used in the computations. The best half-life value was selected by comparing results for different values of half-life feith those from a colorimetric determination of identical samples. The neutron activation analysis method is rapid, nondestructive, and free of any chemical procedures. Selenium was determined at a 3 μg level with a counting error of ± 6% at the 95% confidence level.