146 



Scientific Proceedings (92). 



In the well-known Engeland 1 process for the separation of the 

 bases of muscle extract, precipitation with mercuric chloride and 

 sodium acetate is used. After several days the precipitate is col- 

 lected and heated with dilute hydrochloric acid, then decom- 

 posed with hydrogen sulphide. Under these conditions the possi- 

 bility of creatine oxidation, hydrolysis of the resulting compound 

 and liberation of methylguanidine, must be considered. 



197 (1375) 



Concerning carnosine and its synthesis. 



By L. Baumann and Thorsten Ingvaldsen. 



[From the Chemical Research Laboratory, Department of Internal 

 Medicine, State University of Iowa, Ioiva City.) 



The chemical configuration of the muscle extractive, carnosine, 

 has been determined in two ways: (1) By deamination with nitrous 

 acid, hydrolysis of the resulting deaminocarnosine and isolation 

 of one of the cleavage products. (2) By its synthesis. 



The hydrolysis of deaminocarnosine gave a 70 per cent, yield 

 of histidine. 



The synthesis was effected by the interaction of beta iodo- 

 propionyl chloride and histidine, followed by amination of the 

 resulting product. The analyses, optical rotation, melting point 

 and crystal form of the synthetic and natural products were identi- 

 cal. A mixture of both substances gave the same melting point as 

 either component. 



It is evident that beta alanyl-histidine correctly expresses the 

 constitution of carnosine. 



Carnosine is not hydrolyzed by muscle or liver extract. 



1 Engeland. R., Z. Unters. Xahr. Genus smitUl, 1908, XVI, 658. 



