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Possible Sources of Tartronate Deficiency in Man

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Abstract

SINCE exogenous tartronate (hydroxymalonate) is probably essential for the nutrition of rats1, it has been suggested2 that prolonged deficiency of available tartronate might result also in metabolic disturbances in man. Tartronate, which is produced only by plants3, has chemical and physiological properties which could result in its becoming deficient in human diets. These properties are : (a) easy decarboxylation in hot, slightly acid solution ; (b) complete solubility in water ; and (c) a relatively rapid rate of excretion. In the present work these sources of loss have been examined.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Insulation Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 39, Mass.

    LAURENCE G. WESSON

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  1. LAURENCE G. WESSON
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WESSON, L. Possible Sources of Tartronate Deficiency in Man. Nature 189, 147–148 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/189147b0

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