808 EXPEKIMEXT STATION EECOED. 



The sample is first titrated with Benedict's copper solution (E. S. R.. 25. 

 p. 15). Another sample is then inoculated with the yeast Torula monosa and 

 allowed to ferment for 24 hours at 30° C. After the fermentation the sample 

 is again titrated with Benedict's solution and the amount of glucose calculated 

 from the difference in the two titrations. By boiling the fermented urine with 

 citric acid and repeating the fermentation and titrations as before, the iso- 

 maltose, calculated as glucose, can be easily determined. Samples in which 

 spontaneous fermentation has started do not give reliable results. 



The method is deemed of value in determining the slight influence of a diet 

 in cases of glycosuria, and in making a diagnosis of doubtful cases of diabetes. 

 The average glucose content of 174 samples of normal urine was found to be 

 0.012 per cent (maximum 0.033, minimum 0.002 per cent), and the average 

 percentage of isomaltose in S4 samples was found to be 0.012 per cent (maxi- 

 mum 0.023, minimum 0.0<33 per cent). 



The determination of amino acids in urine, I. Bang {Biochcm. Ztschr., 72 

 (1915), A'o. 1-2, pp. 101-103). — To obviate the inconvenience of titrating a 

 colored solution in the formol titration method for the determination of amino- 

 acid nitrogen the author recommends that the solution be decolorize<l with blood 

 charcoal in the presence of 20 per cent alcohol. No amino-acid nitrogen is lost 

 by this procedure. 



New indican reaction, A. Jolu:s (Eoppe-Seyler's Ztschr. PhysioJ. Chcm., 95 

 {1915), Xo. 1, pp. 29-S3). — The following procedure is recommended as a 

 qualitative test for indican: 



Ten cc. of urine is mixed with 1 cc. of a 5 per cent alcoholic solution of 

 a-naphthol and 10 cc. concentrated hydrochloric acid (containing 5 gm. ferric 

 chlorid per liter). The mixture is thoroughly shaken and allowed to set for 

 15 minutes, after which the coloring matter is extracted with 5 cc, of chloro- 

 form. The color of the extract will vary from violet to a dark blue, depending 

 on the amount of indican present. The reaction is sensitive to 0.(X>3 mg. 

 indican in 10 cc. of liquid, but is not applicable to quantitative colorimetric 

 determinations. 



The nephelometric determination of small amounts of essential oils, A. G. 

 Woodman, R. T. Gookin, and L. .T. Heath (Jour. Iiulus. and Eiifjin. Chcm., 

 8 (1916), No. 2, pp. 128-131, figs. 2). — A proce<lure basetl on the formation of an 

 emulsion on adding water to an alcoholic solution of an essential oil, using 

 the Kober nephelometer previously noteil (K. S. R., 31, p. 114), Is described. 

 Great accuracy is said to be possible with the method in concentrations up to 

 1 per cent and, by suitable dilution with alcohol, in higher concentrations. 

 In applying the method to cordials the percentage of alcohol and sugar influ- 

 ences the results to such an extent that it is necessary to iise a standard con- 

 taining approximately the same amounts of those materials. If the cordials 

 are deeply colored the alcohol may be distilled off and the distillate compared 

 with a standard extract. 



The utilization of cherry by-products, F. Rabak (U. S. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 350 

 (1916), pp. 2Jf). — As a result of the investigation the author obtainetl from the 

 pits of red sour cherries a fixed oil, the physical and chemical properties of 

 which were found to be very similar to those of the commercial oil of almonds. 

 It is indicated that this oil should find application along pharmaceutical and 

 therapeutical lines, as a condimental oil. or in the sonp-niaklng industry. The 

 volatile oil producetl from the press cake is practically identical with the oil 

 of bitter almonds, and would thus find the same application. Analysis of the 

 meal, which is the final residue, showed 1.06 per cent of moisture. 30.87 p«^r 

 cent of protein, 13.1 per cent of ether extract, 42.13 per cent of nitrogen-free 



