SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF PEMOLINE AND MANDELIC ACID IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS

A rapid, simple spectrophotometric method which can be used to determine microgram quantities of pemoline and mandelic acid in biological fluids is described. To determine pemoline in serum the compound is hydrolyzed to mandelic acid and then oxidized to benzaldehyde with ceric sulfate. The benzal‐dehyde is extracted with hexane and its characteristic UV absorption is determined at 241 mμ. To determine urine levels, an additional purification step, involving the use of a cation‐exchange resin, is required. The procedures described for the pemoline assay in serum and urine are also applicable for the determination of mandelic acid. Only data on the above compounds are presented in this paper but the method should be capable of determining many other compounds which can be converted to benzaldehyde. Copyright © 1969 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company