Carotin and vitamin A

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1934
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 53 KB
• Volume: 217
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-0032
• DOI: 10.1016/s0016-0032(34)91256-4

✦ Synopsis

Carotin and Vitamin A.--Carotin is a complex hydrocarbon which occurs in nature as a lipochrome or fat pigment; it is the precursor of the fat-soluble vitamin A which protects the body from the eye disease known as keratomalacia and from infections. This vitamin is formed by oxidative cleavage of a carotin molecule into two equal halves, and the conversion of each half into a complex alcohol. WOLF V. DRIGALSKI (Zeil. Vitaminforschung, I934, III, 37-74) has suggested that vitamin A be designated the epitheliumprotective vitamin. His researches show that IOO cc. of normal blood usually contain from a trace to o.oI milligram of carotin, although a maximum valve of 0.27 milligram was noted. The body stores carotin and vitamin A abundantly, chiefly in the liver.