THE ORGANIC-PHOSPHORIC ACID COMPOUND 

 OF WHEAT BRAN: PRELIMINARY REPORT.* 



(third paper on phytin.) 

 R. J. ANDERSON. 



SUMMARY. 



In the examination of the organic-phosphoric acid compound of 

 wheat bran none of the characteristic salts of phytic acid could be 

 isolated. 



The purified barium salts of the compound corresponded to the 

 following formulas: C25 H55 O54 P9 Bas and C20 H45 O49 P9 Bas. 



Attempts to isolate the free acid corresponding to the first salt 

 did not succeed. From both salts the same acid, corresponding to 

 that of the second salt, C20 H55 O49 P9 was obtained. This acid is 

 apparently formed from the first by the sphtting off of the elements 

 of one pentose. 



Crystalline salts of the acid C20 H55 O49 P9 with inorganic bases 

 could not be obtained. A crystalline brucine salt C20 H55 O49 Pg 

 (C23 H26 O4 N4) 10+30 H2O was easily formed. 



Since all the purified barium salts prepared under different con- 

 ditions, either from the previously isolated crude substance or from 

 the bran extract itself, could all finally be changed into salts of the 

 acid C20 H5:, O49 P9 under Uberation of reducing substances, the 

 conclusion seems justified that this acid is the only organic- 

 phosphoric-acid present and that wheat bran does not contain 

 phytin. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the last two papers dealing with the chemistry of phytini 

 various salts of phytic acid with inorganic bases have been described 

 as well as various phosphoric and pyrophosphoric acid esters of 

 inosite. In connection with the above work the subject of the 

 organic phosphorus compound of wheat bran was taken up. 



Patten and Hart- had shown that wheat bran contains an organic- 

 phosphorus body which on cleavage with 30 per ct. sulphuric acid 

 in a sealed tube gave inosite as one of the products of decomposition. 

 They also obtained an acid from a 0.2 per ct. hydrochloric acid 

 extract of bran which on analysis gave results corresponding very 

 closely with the theoretical composition of phytic acid or, as the 

 substance was then called, " anhydro-oxymethylene di-phosphoric 

 acid ". 



^Jour. Biol. Chem. 11:471, and 12:97; and Technical Bulls. 19 and ;21 of this 

 Station. 



2 Amer. Chem. Jour. 31 :565. 1901. 



* A reprint of Technical Bulletin No. 22, September, 1912; also appeared 

 in Jour. Biol. Chem. 11:447. 1912. 



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