Urinary methylmalonate excretion is increased in rats with an insufficiency of vitamin B(12). Excretion of methylmalonate is not affected by folic acid, vitamin E, or selenium, but is markedly decreased by small amounts of vitamin B(12) added to the diet.

A quantitative method for the determination of urinary phenols is described. Data obtained in 20 children by this method are similar to averages in adults obtained by others. This is exceeded by the excretion of a phenylketonuric infant when placed on excessive intakes of phenylalanine.

The separation of organic acids and their elution from silicic acid columns and their quantitative measurement by color change of buffered indicator, a technique mechanized by Kesner and Muntwyler, are applicable to the study of biological materials. As little as 25 µg of acid can be measured. Elution times and color yield in terms of peak areas obtained with the commercial apparatus are given for 25 organic acids. Blood, plasma, red cells, and spinal fluid have been analyzed; specimens were either untreated or extracted with ether. The most abundant acids detected were propionic, lactic, hippuric, and acetic. Methylmalonate was measured in body fluids and blood cells of patients with methylmalonic acidemia and pernicious anemia. Concentrations of organic acids in blood and spinal fluid are given.