ANALYSIS OF SIMPLE PHENOLS OF INTEREST IN METABOLISM .2. CONJUGATE HYDROLYSIS AND EXTRACTION METHODS

Methods for conjugate hydrolysis and ether extraction of simple phenols in urine have been investigated. The losses of monohydric phenols could be compensated for by adding an internal standard and p- or m-methoxyphenol is suggested for this use. However, recoveries of some dihydroxybenzenes were considerably reduced and these losses were shown to occur during the removal of phenolic acids. Both acid and enzymic hydrolysis are recommended, as they do not yield the same quantities of all the phenols. Formation of simple phenols from phenolic acids was shown to occur during treatment with acid but was not significant with the quantities of naturally occurring phenolic acids encountered in the present experiments. © 1969.