The behaviour of l-ascorbic acid and chemically related compounds in the animal body. Antiscorbutic activity in relation to retention by the organism

ALTHOUGH 1-ascorbic acid (I-xylo-ascorbic acid) is the most active antiscorbutic substance so far known, other chemically related compounds have been shown to possess antiscorbutic activity. Of these d-arabo-ascorbic acid (d-erythro-3ketohexonic acid lactone) A homologue i-gluco-ascorbic acid is 1/40 active [Reichstein, 1934 and private communication]. This compound was tested recently by the writer and, as will be seen from Fig. 0 5 mg.