Urinary Simple Phenols in Rats Fed Purified and Nonpurified Diets

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Abstract
The simple phenol fraction of rat urine after hydrolysis in 3 N H2SO4 and with β-glucuronidase + sulfatase has been analyzed in several thin-layer and gas chromatographic systems. Only phenol and p-cresol, together with minute quantities of 4-ethylphenol, were found when a purified casein-sucrose diet was fed. Rats fed diets containing plant material excreted considerable amounts of 4-ethylphenol, catechol and resorcinol and smaller quantities of several other simple phenols in addition to those excreted when fed a purified diet. Some of these compounds (guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-methylcatechol and 4-vinylphenol) have not previously been shown to be normal urinary constituents. The possible naturally occurring precursors of the urinary simple phenols are discussed.