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Methods of biochemical analysis
MICROCHEMICAL
JOURNAL
20, Ill-
1 19 (I 975)
BOOK Instrumental Analysis by KOBERT ‘1. O'CONNOR.
REVIEWS
of Cotton Cellulose and Modified Cotton Cellulose. Dekker, New York, 1972. x + 4YO pp. $29.50.
Edited
This book constitutes Volume 3 of the Fiber Science Series. According to the editor its main function is to present an up-to-date description of the instrumental methods of analytical chemistry which may be used in the study of fibers from the qualitative, quantitative and slruclural standpoinls. The material covered in this particular volume is contributed by 1 I individuals in the form of 8 chapter-a. It is interesting to note that 8 of the I I authors are affiliated with the Southern Regional Research Laboratory in New Orleans. Of the 98 theoretically possible spectroscopic methods, arrived at by considering the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and the possible modes in which rhe radiation is used. only about 40 are employed in a way in solving problems dealing with investigations of cotton cellulose, chemically modified cotton cellulose and resin trcatcd fibers. The instrumental methods descrihcd which arc r&ted to spectroscopic methods include: X-ray fluorescence, electron emission (spectrochemical analysis), atomic absorption, ir, X-Ray diffraction, wide line nuclear magnetic resonance, gamma ray and neutron absorption, and mass spectrometry. In addition to the above spectroscopic methods, microscopic techniques, both light and electron are used in the study of fibers. One chapter which deals with the study of oxidation, degradation and pyrolysis of cellulose, describes techniques such as paper and thin layer chromatography which are supplemented hy instrumental methods such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, thermal and differential thcrmogravimetric analysis. The authors, in addition to giving a brief theory of the instruments, also include in many instances specific inGructions for carrying out the measurements. This reviewer finds that this particular volume rcprcscnts an excellent contribution for not only researchers engaged in thcsc types of investigations but, in general, for those individuals interested in the practical potentialities of some of the latest instruments. .rhc chapters arc well written and referenced. The hook contains both an author- and a subject index. In view of the abundant information and the superb presentation, this voume represents an excellent addition to the library of individuals engaged in this field as well as instrumentalists in general.
Methods of Biochemical Analysis. 1973. viii + 572 pp. $22.50.
Edited
by
DAVI~I
GLICK.
Wiley,
New
York,
This is Volume 21 in an obviously well-received series designed to cover the methods and techniques of biochemical analysis so that interested workers can keep abreast of the rapid and diver-se developments. Some of the chapters serve as correlative recapitulations of well-established methods and techniques while others display new approaches of promise.
112
BOOK
REVIEWS
This volume consists of seven chapters Volume 3 1 and for the series as a whole.
plus separate
author
and subject
indices
for
The first chapter discusses Techniques for the Characterization of UDP-Glucuronyltransferase, Glucose-h-phosphatase. and Other Tightly-Bound Microsomal Enzymes. Emphasis is placed on the problems encountered and ways in which they may be met. The two enzymes permit extrapolation reviewed in detail.
in the title are studied more extensively and in sufficient detail to to other enzymes. Phospholipid-protein interactions are also The preparation of microsomes, and a discussion of interfering en-
zymes and substrate forms rounds out this practical chapter. Determination of Seleniuti in Biological Materials is the subject of the second chapter. A review of both destructive and nondestructive methods is presented. In addition, detailed procedures are given for a method based on a wet digestion, and on an oxygen flask, as well as a gravimetric analysis of samples of very high selenium content. The third chapter covers High-Performance Ion-Exchange Chromatography with Narrow-Bore Columns: Rapid Analysis of Nucleic Acid Constituents at the Subnanomole Level. It includes a discussion of the interpretation of the chromatogram. the use of resin coated beads, liquid chromatography, the application of ion-exchange chromatography to nucleic acids, the use of pellicular ion-exchange resins as well as other conventional resins for ultrasensitive analyses and a look at the methods of sample preparation. It is suggested that this techique is about ready to compete with the methods utilizing radioactive tracers. Chapter
four
reports
on Newer
Developments
in Enzymic
Determination
of
D-
Glucose and its Anomers. This is a how-to chapter and presents both detail and the author’s critical comments. Radiometric Methods of Enzyme Assay presents an encyclopedic approach. The general principles of enzyme assay are laid down, followed by a general discussion of the techniques comprises
used.
the bulk
A detailed of this
cataloging
chapter
which
of the radiometric concludes
with
enzyme an extensive
assays critique
reported of the
advantages and limitations of the method. Chapter six is a review of Polarography and Voltammetry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides and their Parent Bases as Analytical and Investigative Tools. This is a comprehensive and critical survey of the electrochemical behavior of the subject compounds, with the goal of shedding light on biological phenomena and providing additional methodology for future investigators. It does. The final chapter is entitled Integrated-Ion Current Technique of Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Analysis: Chemical and Biological Applications. The integrated-ion current technique described in this review seems to be the method of choice where unambiguous identification and quantification in the submicron region is required, e.g., in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology. The only snag suggested is the expense (S lOO,OOO- 150,000) and the required personnel. The instrumentation, and a variety of applications are described. This is a high-caliber practical book with clear and ample illustrations, tables and bibliographies. BILL
ELPERN,
9 Surwy
Way, White Plains, New, Yorh 10607
JOURNAL
20, Ill-
1 19 (I 975)
BOOK Instrumental Analysis by KOBERT ‘1. O'CONNOR.
REVIEWS
of Cotton Cellulose and Modified Cotton Cellulose. Dekker, New York, 1972. x + 4YO pp. $29.50.
Edited
This book constitutes Volume 3 of the Fiber Science Series. According to the editor its main function is to present an up-to-date description of the instrumental methods of analytical chemistry which may be used in the study of fibers from the qualitative, quantitative and slruclural standpoinls. The material covered in this particular volume is contributed by 1 I individuals in the form of 8 chapter-a. It is interesting to note that 8 of the I I authors are affiliated with the Southern Regional Research Laboratory in New Orleans. Of the 98 theoretically possible spectroscopic methods, arrived at by considering the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and the possible modes in which rhe radiation is used. only about 40 are employed in a way in solving problems dealing with investigations of cotton cellulose, chemically modified cotton cellulose and resin trcatcd fibers. The instrumental methods descrihcd which arc r&ted to spectroscopic methods include: X-ray fluorescence, electron emission (spectrochemical analysis), atomic absorption, ir, X-Ray diffraction, wide line nuclear magnetic resonance, gamma ray and neutron absorption, and mass spectrometry. In addition to the above spectroscopic methods, microscopic techniques, both light and electron are used in the study of fibers. One chapter which deals with the study of oxidation, degradation and pyrolysis of cellulose, describes techniques such as paper and thin layer chromatography which are supplemented hy instrumental methods such as gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, thermal and differential thcrmogravimetric analysis. The authors, in addition to giving a brief theory of the instruments, also include in many instances specific inGructions for carrying out the measurements. This reviewer finds that this particular volume rcprcscnts an excellent contribution for not only researchers engaged in thcsc types of investigations but, in general, for those individuals interested in the practical potentialities of some of the latest instruments. .rhc chapters arc well written and referenced. The hook contains both an author- and a subject index. In view of the abundant information and the superb presentation, this voume represents an excellent addition to the library of individuals engaged in this field as well as instrumentalists in general.
Methods of Biochemical Analysis. 1973. viii + 572 pp. $22.50.
Edited
by
DAVI~I
GLICK.
Wiley,
New
York,
This is Volume 21 in an obviously well-received series designed to cover the methods and techniques of biochemical analysis so that interested workers can keep abreast of the rapid and diver-se developments. Some of the chapters serve as correlative recapitulations of well-established methods and techniques while others display new approaches of promise.
112
BOOK
REVIEWS
This volume consists of seven chapters Volume 3 1 and for the series as a whole.
plus separate
author
and subject
indices
for
The first chapter discusses Techniques for the Characterization of UDP-Glucuronyltransferase, Glucose-h-phosphatase. and Other Tightly-Bound Microsomal Enzymes. Emphasis is placed on the problems encountered and ways in which they may be met. The two enzymes permit extrapolation reviewed in detail.
in the title are studied more extensively and in sufficient detail to to other enzymes. Phospholipid-protein interactions are also The preparation of microsomes, and a discussion of interfering en-
zymes and substrate forms rounds out this practical chapter. Determination of Seleniuti in Biological Materials is the subject of the second chapter. A review of both destructive and nondestructive methods is presented. In addition, detailed procedures are given for a method based on a wet digestion, and on an oxygen flask, as well as a gravimetric analysis of samples of very high selenium content. The third chapter covers High-Performance Ion-Exchange Chromatography with Narrow-Bore Columns: Rapid Analysis of Nucleic Acid Constituents at the Subnanomole Level. It includes a discussion of the interpretation of the chromatogram. the use of resin coated beads, liquid chromatography, the application of ion-exchange chromatography to nucleic acids, the use of pellicular ion-exchange resins as well as other conventional resins for ultrasensitive analyses and a look at the methods of sample preparation. It is suggested that this techique is about ready to compete with the methods utilizing radioactive tracers. Chapter
four
reports
on Newer
Developments
in Enzymic
Determination
of
D-
Glucose and its Anomers. This is a how-to chapter and presents both detail and the author’s critical comments. Radiometric Methods of Enzyme Assay presents an encyclopedic approach. The general principles of enzyme assay are laid down, followed by a general discussion of the techniques comprises
used.
the bulk
A detailed of this
cataloging
chapter
which
of the radiometric concludes
with
enzyme an extensive
assays critique
reported of the
advantages and limitations of the method. Chapter six is a review of Polarography and Voltammetry of Nucleosides and Nucleotides and their Parent Bases as Analytical and Investigative Tools. This is a comprehensive and critical survey of the electrochemical behavior of the subject compounds, with the goal of shedding light on biological phenomena and providing additional methodology for future investigators. It does. The final chapter is entitled Integrated-Ion Current Technique of Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Analysis: Chemical and Biological Applications. The integrated-ion current technique described in this review seems to be the method of choice where unambiguous identification and quantification in the submicron region is required, e.g., in neurochemistry and neuropharmacology. The only snag suggested is the expense (S lOO,OOO- 150,000) and the required personnel. The instrumentation, and a variety of applications are described. This is a high-caliber practical book with clear and ample illustrations, tables and bibliographies. BILL
ELPERN,
9 Surwy
Way, White Plains, New, Yorh 10607