Chapter 8 

 INOSITOLS 



I. Nomenclature and Formula 322 



A. Discussion of Terminology 323 



II. Chemistry 329 



A. Nomenclature 329 



B. Planar Projections 330 



C. Spatial Constellations 331 



D. Distribution 334 



1. Hieso-Inositol 334 



2. Scyllitol 335 



3. d- and Z-Inositol 335 



4. Other Cyclohexitols 336 



E. Properties 336 



III. Industrial Preparation 339 



A. Presence in Plants 339 



B. Corn Steepwater as a Source of Inositol 340 



C. Precipitation of Phytate from Corn Steepwater 340 



D. Hydrolysis of Phytate to Inositol 341 



E. Isolation of Inositol from Hydrolyzate 341 



IV. Biochemical Systems 342 



A. Biocatalytic Functions of myo-Inositol 342 



1. Studies with Inhibitory Analogs 343 



2. Bound Forms of m^/o-Inositol 345 



3. Lipotropic Effect of Inositol 347 



B. Metabolism of Inositol 347 



1. In Bacteria 347 



2. In Animals 349 



V. Specificity of Action 351 



VI. Biogenesis 354 



A. Inositol Synthesis by Microorganisms 354 



B. Inositol Synthesis by Higher Plants 355 



C. Inositol Synthesis by Animals 356 



VII. Estimation of Inositol 358 



A. By Isolation 358 



B. By Chemical Methods 359 



1. Reaction with Potassium lodomercurate 359 



2. Reaction with Periodate 359 



3. Other Chemical Methods 360 



C. By Paper Chromatography 361 



D. By Mouse Assay 361 



E. By Microbiological Assay 361 



VIII. Occurrence 363 



A. In Foods 363 



B. Natural Antivitamins of Inositol 363 



321 



