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Stability of Bilirubin

Nature volume 203, pages 756–757 (1964)Cite this article

Abstract

CRYSTALLINE bilirubin changes with time as noted by Küster1. Newly recrystallized, it dissolves immediately and completely in chloroform. With aged preparations, when dissolved at room temperature, a certain amount of insoluble substance is observed which dissolves within a few seconds when boiled under reflux. This must be due to either an isomerization from bilirubin to dihydrobiliverdin—a displacement of the π electrons from the vinyl to the central methylene bridge2—or a transition between two crystalline phases, the less soluble having the highest thermodynamical stability.

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References

  1. Küster, W., Hoppe-Seyler's Z., 59, 63 (1909).

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  2. Gray, C. H., Bile Pigments in Health and Disease, 16 (Charles C. Thomas, Publ., Springfield, Illinois, 1961).

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  3. Fog, J., and Jellum, E., Nature, 198, 88 (1963).

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  4. Lemberg, R., and Legge, J. W., Hematin Compounds and Bile Pigments (Interscience Publ., London, 1949).

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  5. Fog, J., Diss., Oslo (1960).

  6. Schellong, G., Ikterus Neonatorum, 49 (Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1962).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Oslo,

    J. FOG & B. BUGGE-ASPERHEIM

Authors
  1. J. FOG
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  2. B. BUGGE-ASPERHEIM
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FOG, J., BUGGE-ASPERHEIM, B. Stability of Bilirubin. Nature 203, 756–757 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1038/203756a0

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