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New organic detergents
July,
1934.1
12j
CURRENT TOPICS.
Bromine Content of BlOOd.-THEODORE FREDERIC DIXON (Biothem. J., 1934, XXVIII, 48-51) analyzed 3 samples of normal human blood, and found their bromine content to be 0.89 1.20 and 1.73 milligrams, respectively, per 100 cc. of blgod. J. S. H. Arsenic Content of American Cod Liver Oil.-ARTHUR D. HOLMES and ROE REMINGTON (I&. Eng. Chem., Ind. Ed., 1934, XXVI, 573-574) have determined the arsenic content of 20 samples of crude, medicinal, typical American cod liver oils. The arsenic content was from 1.4 to 5.1 parts per million, with an average value of 2.6 f 0.13. The values are higher than those for common fruits and vegetables, decidedly lower than those for crustaceans, and of approximately the same magnitude as those for American marine fish and shell fish. The arsenic apparently is present in a form of low or no toxicity. J. S. H. Northern Lights-L. VEGARD (Science Progress, 1934, XXVIII, 593-609) states that the northern lights or aurorae polares are the best means available for the study of the composition and physical state of the extreme upper layers of the atmosphere of the earth. Their spectrum reveals the presence of oxygen and nitrogen and of little or no helium and hydrogen. Apart from the formation of ozone in the upper atmosphere, the entire atmosphere is fairly constant in its chemical composition to its very top; as a matter of fact, a top layer of light gases does not exist. J. S. H. New Organic Detergents.-IvoR GRIFFITH (Am. J. Pharm. 1934, CVI, 176-177) calls attention to the alkali salts of certain aliphatic ester acids, and their use as detergents. The aliphatic group is the alkyl radical of a synthetic higher alcohol, such as lauryl, oleyl, cetyl, and stearyl. The acid is sulphuric acid. Thus sodium lauryl sulphate in aqueous solution is neutral in reaction, extremely active as an emulsifying and cleansing agent, acts in the presence of alkalies or acids (organic or inorganic) or salts of calcium, magnesium, and some heavy metals, and does not oxidize and become rancid. These detergents may find application in pharmaceutical chemistry. J. S. H.
1934.1
12j
CURRENT TOPICS.
Bromine Content of BlOOd.-THEODORE FREDERIC DIXON (Biothem. J., 1934, XXVIII, 48-51) analyzed 3 samples of normal human blood, and found their bromine content to be 0.89 1.20 and 1.73 milligrams, respectively, per 100 cc. of blgod. J. S. H. Arsenic Content of American Cod Liver Oil.-ARTHUR D. HOLMES and ROE REMINGTON (I&. Eng. Chem., Ind. Ed., 1934, XXVI, 573-574) have determined the arsenic content of 20 samples of crude, medicinal, typical American cod liver oils. The arsenic content was from 1.4 to 5.1 parts per million, with an average value of 2.6 f 0.13. The values are higher than those for common fruits and vegetables, decidedly lower than those for crustaceans, and of approximately the same magnitude as those for American marine fish and shell fish. The arsenic apparently is present in a form of low or no toxicity. J. S. H. Northern Lights-L. VEGARD (Science Progress, 1934, XXVIII, 593-609) states that the northern lights or aurorae polares are the best means available for the study of the composition and physical state of the extreme upper layers of the atmosphere of the earth. Their spectrum reveals the presence of oxygen and nitrogen and of little or no helium and hydrogen. Apart from the formation of ozone in the upper atmosphere, the entire atmosphere is fairly constant in its chemical composition to its very top; as a matter of fact, a top layer of light gases does not exist. J. S. H. New Organic Detergents.-IvoR GRIFFITH (Am. J. Pharm. 1934, CVI, 176-177) calls attention to the alkali salts of certain aliphatic ester acids, and their use as detergents. The aliphatic group is the alkyl radical of a synthetic higher alcohol, such as lauryl, oleyl, cetyl, and stearyl. The acid is sulphuric acid. Thus sodium lauryl sulphate in aqueous solution is neutral in reaction, extremely active as an emulsifying and cleansing agent, acts in the presence of alkalies or acids (organic or inorganic) or salts of calcium, magnesium, and some heavy metals, and does not oxidize and become rancid. These detergents may find application in pharmaceutical chemistry. J. S. H.