THE METABOLISM OF THE VOLATILE AMINES: V. THE SPONTANEOUS FORMATION OF AMMONIA IN SHED BLOOD ON STANDING.

The spontaneous formation of ammonia which takes place when shed whole blood is allowed to stand was investigated and was found to consist of a complex series of reactions. The rate of ammonia formation was initially rapid but gradually slowed, and the maximum amount of ammonia was formed after a period of about seven days. Both the type of anticoagulant used and the availability of oxygen influenced the rate of ammonia formation. This reaction was inhibited when the blood was kept frozen but it was found that the measurement of the ammonia content of frozen and thawed blood was both difficult and inaccurate. Dilute solutions of zinc bromide partially inhibited this reaction.Compounds which give rise to ammonia were found to be present in both plasma and erythrocytes, although the deamidation reactions took place solely within the erythrocytes. The total amount of ammonia formed depended on the hemoglobin content of the blood and varied in certain patients suffering from erythrocyte disorders.