Studies in vitamin A. 21. Retinene2 and vitamin A2

Abstract

A preceding paper (Cama et at.1952) records the preparation of crystalline retinene2 from various sources.When retineneL is fed to rats it is reduced in the lining of the intestine to vitamin A1 and the esterified vitamin is then carried to the liver and stored (Glover, Goodwin & Morton, 1948).Retinene, may be reduced to vitamin A1 either by the Ponn-dorf method or by the use of lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4).The present paper records the similar conversion in vivo and in vitro of retinene2 to vitamin A2.The properties ofvitamin A2are discused with particular reference to the rather vexed question of chemical constitution.