Gas chromatographic mass spectrometric identification and quantitation of tetronic and deoxytetronic acids in urine from normal adults and neonates

Abstract

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric/computer analyses of trimethylsilyl derivatives of urine extracts, prepared by an anion exchange procedure, reveal the presence of several tetronic and deoxytetronic acids. Identifications were confirmed by comparing gas chromatographic methylene unit values and mass spectrometric characteristics with those of chemically synthesized samples. In addition, several 1,4 lactones corresponding to the acids were detected in small amounts. The acids were measured in groups of adults and neonates by gas chromatographic/computer determination of peak areas and the use of calculated response factors. In urines from adults, 4 deoxythreonic, threonic, and erythronic acids were present in relatively large amounts. 4 Deoxyerythronic and 2 deoxytetronic acids were present in small to moderate amounts; 3 deoxytetronic and 2 methylglyceric acids were only trace constituents. These latter two acids, in addition to 4 deoxyerythronic, were also trace constituents of several urines from neonates but could not be detected in others. Expressed in terms of creatinine excretion, both groups excreted similar amounts of 4 deoxythreonic acid and neonates excreted significantly more 2 deoxytetronic, erythronic, and threonic acids.