Biochemical analysis

Abstract

This review will discuss most of the significant developments in biochemical analysis which appeared in the literature during the period from January 1966 through December 1967. Undoubtedly, many worthwhile contributions have been overlooked, but scanning the literature quickly brings one to the conclusion that the field of biochemical analysis is undergoing a "publication explosion." The deluge of pertinent reports encompasses journals in chemistry, biology, physics, electronics, and engineering; thus, the sheer physical volume demands that this review be selective, rather than comprehensive, and precludes incorporation of routine applications or minor modifications of accepted techniques and methods. This approach is in keeping with the philosophy of the previous reviews of the same title, as established by Dr. P. B. Hamilton, and appears to be well suited for the continuity of this series. Accordingly, the emphasis will be on new developments and trends having potential applications. NEW BOOKS AND JOURNALSRecent texts pertaining entirely to the subjects discussed in the following sections will be mentioned as they arise. Of general interest to biochemists will be an "Encyclopedia of Biochemistry" (663), which stresses methodology in relation to the rapid developments in this science, and an annual series "Essays in Biochemistry" (108, 109). The first volume of an "Atlas of Clinical Laboratory Procedures" (405) was published and may well be the primary reference work for clinical biochemists.Specialized fields of biochemical analysis have been treated in the con-100 was described (238). Many nu-

Mass spectrometry

“…NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Applications of mass spectrometry in biomedical research, often in combination with other techniques, have been reviewed (460,461). Also, the mass spectra of a large variety of complex biological substances, from plastoquinones to peptidolipids and mycosides, have been reviewed (462).…”