Abstract
WE have investigated systematically the polarographic wave of neuraminic acid derivatives with a dropping-mercury electrode (m = 2.86 mgm./sec., t = 2.98 sec.). The existence of a sialic acid wave was anticipated from the fact that structurally related substances such as pyruvic acid1,2 and fructose3,4 give well-defined polarographic waves. Three type of waves could be observed in N-acetylneuraminic acid solution (NANA): (a) a hydrogen wave in 0.1 M LiCl or in 0.01–0.1 M tetramethylammonium bromide (TMABr) under pH. 7. The apparent half-wave potential is − 1.65 V. (s.c.e.) in 0.01 M TMABr and − 1.48 V. in 0.01 M TMABr. There is a linear relationship between the height of the wave and the square root of the height of the mercury column up to 45 cm. ; and, under defined conditions, a linear relationship between NANA concentration and the height of the wave. Under identical conditions, pyruvic acid (4.05 × 10−4 M in 0.01 M TMABr, under nitrogen) gives a hydrogen wave of the same height (36.7 µamp.) as NANA (39 µamp.). The slope of the straight line in which the height of the wave is plotted as the function of concentration of NANA is 0.3 µamp./µgm./ml. or 92.7 µamp./µ/ml. (at 30° C. in 0.01 M TMABr). There is a marked sensitivity of the wave to ionic strength and also to the presence of oxygen.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Müller, O. H., and Baumberger, J. P., Trans. Amer. Electrochem. Soc., 71, 169 (1937).
Brdicka, R., and Wiesner, K., Coll. Czech. Chem. Comm., 12, 138 (1947).
Heyrovsky, J., and Smoler, I., Coll. Czech. Chem. Comm., 4, 521 (1932).
Wiesner, K., Coll. Czech. Chem. Comm., 12, 64 (1947).
Zilliken, F., Braun, G. A., and Gyorgy, P., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 63, 394 (1956).
Berggard, I., and Odin, L., Arkiv för Kemi, 12, 581 (1958).
Cantor, S. M., and Peniston, P., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 62, 2113 (1940).
Vesely, K., and Brdicka, R., Coll., 12, 313 (1947).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ROBERT, B., RAFELSON, M. & ROBERT, L. Polarographic Examination of Sialic Acids. Nature 191, 596–598 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/191596b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/191596b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.