714 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



The determinations include water, fat and nonfatty solids, nitrogen, and asli. 

 After estimating the amount of carbohydrate and crude cellulose matter and 

 calculating the quantity of nitrogen associated witli it, the balance of nitrogen 

 is calculated to the quantity of defatted meat v/Mch it represents, and to tliis 

 amount is added the fat, the total representing the amount of meat present. 



The analysis of sausages, meat pastes, and army rations, A. W. Stokes 

 (Analyit, U {1919), No. 517, pp. 127-132) .—The method employed by the author 

 In the analyses reported is based on the assumption that meat naturally con- 

 tains 70 per cent, and bread 40 per cent, of water. The meat is dissolved by 

 boiling in alcoholic soda solution, which also forms a soap with the fat. The 

 insoluble matter is placed in an aqueous caustic soda solution to dissolve the 

 starch, which is then precipitated by strong alcohol. Total solids, water, and 

 ash are estimated in the usual way on 5 gm. of the material. 



The actual fat is calculated on the assumption that the fatty acids equal 

 95 per cent of the actual fat. The dry meat is calculated by subtracting the 

 weight of starch and fat from the total solids. To this is added 2.33 times 

 its weight of water to give the fat-free flesh. The bread is estimated by add- 

 ing to the starch 0.66 times its weight of vi'ater. 



Tables are given of the composition of samples of sausages, meat pa.stes, and 

 army rations, the determinations including percentage of fat, bread, flesh, 

 water present, water allowed, and water excess. 



A rapid method for the determination of fat in cocoa and chocolate, E. B. 

 Hughes (Cliem. Netcs, 119 (1919), No. 3098, p. 10-'/).— The method, which in- 

 volves the use of the Leffmann-Beam centrifugal machine or similar apparatus 

 consists in centrifuging a 2 gm. sample of the finely powdered material twice 

 with 30 cc. of 50 per cent alcohol, decanting and discarding the clear liquid, 

 and subsequently centrifuging the residue twice with 25 cc, of a mixture of 

 equal volumes of ordinary ether and petroleum ether. The ether extracts 

 are decanted into a tared flask, the ether is distilled, and the residue of fat 

 is weighed. It is stated that two extractions are usually sufficient, and that 

 the extracted fat is free from impurity. 



A chemical test to distinguish between cafEein and theohromin, F. P. 

 STKOtJP (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 91 (1919), No. 9, pp. 598, 599). — A color test to 

 distinguish between caft'ein and theobroniin is described which involves the 

 use of a solution of potassium dichromate made by dissolving 0.05 gra. of the 

 salt in 1 cc. of concentrated sulphuric acid. 



The test consists in adding two drops of this reagent to a small amount 

 of the alkaloid on a white porcelain surface. With caffein the yellow color 

 of the reagent is changed almost immediately to a bright bluish-green, while 

 with theobromin the color changes to a dark purple, later an olive-green, and 

 finally to the same color as that given by caffein. Similar color changes are 

 produced when the alkaloid is dropped upon a small amount of the potassium 

 dichromate reagent on a white surface. 



Color standards for cottonseed oil, H. V. Arny, C. Kish, and F. Newmakk 

 (Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 11 (1919), No. 10, pp. 950-953). — The authors 

 have examined the color standards " Co-Fe-Cu " and " Co-Cr-Cu," devised by 

 Army and Ring (E. S. R., 35, p. 204), with reference to their suitability for 

 the grading of cottonseed oil. The " Co-Fe-Cu " blends, the preparation of which 

 is outlined, were found to be satisfactory for matching cottonseed oil when 

 properly standardized. Approximately good matches were obtained when the 

 oil samples and the standardized fluids were compared in 1-oz. roimd bottles, 

 while practically perfect results were secured by placing the liquids in one- 

 half inch cells in the Lovibond tintometer. 



Tables are given of the analytical data obtained in the investigation. 



