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The ultraviolet (UV) and optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra of prostaglandins E(1), A(1), B(1), and their naturally derived 15-epimers are presented. The dehydration sequence E --> A --> B under acidic and basic conditions has been studied by UV and ORD. Conditions for quantitative conversion of PGE(1) to PGA(1) are described. The combination of ORD and UV affords a nondestructive assay which can determine the relative amounts of E-, A-, and B-type prostaglandins with as little as 1-2 micro g of material. The total quantity of prostaglandins can be estimated (+/-15%) in this way or, more accurately, by treatment with alkali of an aliquot (200 ng is sufficient) and determination of the change in absorbance at 278 nm.
Niels H. Andersen (1969) studied this question.