The determination of ergothioneine. The non-occurrence of ergothioneine in urine

Abstract
The use of the Kraut reagent (KBiI4) and iodobismuthous acid in the detn. of ergothioneine is described. By paper chromatog-raphy it was found that ergothioneine does not occur in amts. greater than 1 mg./100 ml. in normal human urine. In rats a large subcut. dose of ergothioneine is not excreted in the urine as ergothioneine or thiolurocanic acid.