Abstract
Evidence has been presented for the presence of N 5 -methyltetrahydrofolates in human blood. Whole blood extracts were essentially active for L. casei alone, and the growth stimulation increased seven- to tenfold after conjugase treatment. The small activity of the plasma was unaffected by conjugase digestion and corresponds to N 5 -methyltetrahydrofolic acid. The bulk of the activity resides in the cells as conjugated derivatives. On DEAE-cellulose chromatography these were resolved into four conjugated derivatives. In their order of elution, the fractions obtained represent as yet uncharacterized N 5 -methyltetrahydrofolates of increasing complexity. The effect of extracting conditions on altering the nature of naturally occurring folates has been discussed. Blood folate levels, before or after conjugase treatment, were low in patients with megaloblastic anemia. A convenient procedure for a conjugase preparation from chicken liver has been described.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
