( 5B ) 
that the species here active would produce compounds which are 
also obtained chemically by alcaline oxidation, I have inquired whether 
by their action allantoin originates from uric acid, and my result 
was that B. pyocyaneus, B. fluorescens liquefaciens, B. fluorescens 
non liquefaciens and B. calco-aceticum do indeed oxidise uric acid 
after the equation 
C. H 4 N 4 0, + 0 + H,0 = C0 2 + C 4 H # N 4 0, 
Allantoin 
whereas by the same bacteria the allantoin is further oxidised and 
hydrolysed thus: 
C 4 H, N 4 0, + H,0 + 0, = 2 NH, CO NH, + 2 C0„ 
whereby consequently urea is formed. 
In nature also allantoin is met with. It was found in the urine 
of sucking calves, in the allantois liquid of cattle, and in the juice 
of Beta vulgaris. Man also secretes it after the use of food containing 
tannic substances. 
The urea as well as the allantoin I could point out chemically 
as follows: Into a large J L. Erlenmeyer flask, 1 G. of uric acid 
was filled, 150 mG. of K 2 HP0 4 and 300 cM 3 . tap-water. After 
sterilisation this liquid was inoculated with the bacterium to be 
tested; then cultivated at 30°. After the course of a week the greater 
part of the uric acid had disappeared. 
In order to isolate the allantoin, bariumhydroxid was added to 
precipitate the phosphates and the remaining uric acid, after which 
the superfluous baryta was removed by sulphuric acid. Now the 
liquid was evaporated to crystallisation and alcohol was added. This 
produced a white deposit which after re-crystallisation from water 
showed the characteristic crystals of allantoin. The thus obtained 
substance was further identified by the following reactions: 
1. AgNO, and a trace of ammonia give a white deposit which 
is soluble in nitric acid and in an abundance of ammonia. 
2. Mercurinitrate produces a white precipitate. 
3. Fehung’s cupric test-liquid is reduced after long boiling. 
4. The murexid reaction has a negative result. 
5. At the determination of silver in the silver-salt was found 
40,61 7, (calculated 40,75 y o j. 
The urea was identified as follows: The alcoholic filtrate was 
vapoured to dryness and re-crystallised. Nitric acid gives the character- 
istic crystals of ureanitrate»); the substance also displays the beautiful 
0 H. Behrens’ Anleitung zur mikrochemischen Analyse. Heft 4. p. 18. 
