Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Xanthine Oxidase Activity of Cow's Milk

Nature volume 152, pages 505–506 (1943)Cite this article

Abstract

BOOTH1 was unable to confirm Wieland and Macrae's2 observation that the xanthine oxidase activity of cow's milk was low when the sample was freshly drawn but underwent a spontaneous rise when it was allowed to stand in the presence of a suitable preservative. The discrepancy between the results of these workers is probably due to the fact that Booth's samples3 had already been subjected on the farm to routine cooling, a procedure which, like shaking in air or nitrogen, is sufficient to induce a marked rise in activity4. By examining uncooled samples of milk, I have been able to confirm and extend Wieland and Macrae's observations. Twigg5 kindly informs me that he also has observed the spontaneous rise in xanthine oxidase activity of samples of milk which are allowed to stand after being drawn.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Booth, V. H., Biochem. J., 32, 494 (1938).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wieland, H., and Macrae, T. F., Liebigs Ann., 483, 217 (1930).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Booth, V. H., personal communication.

  4. Macrae, T. F., thesis, Glasgow (1930).

  5. Twigg, R. S., personal communication.

  6. Dixon, M., Biochem. J., 18, 971 (1924).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Toyama, J. I., J. Biochem., Tokyo, 17, 131 (1933).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Twigg, R. S., J. Soc. Chem. Ind., 56, 129T (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wieland, H., and Rosenfeld, B., Liebigs Ann., 477, 32 (1930).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wilson, G. S., Twigg, R. S., Wright, R. C., Hendry, C. B., Cowell, M. P., and Maier, I., Spec. Rep. Ser. Med. Res. Coun. Lond., No. 206, 216–260 (1936).

  11. Hammond, J., Vet. Rec., 48 (N.S. 16), 519 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Moyer, L. S., J. biol. Chem., 133, 29 (1940).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Tarassuk, N. P., and Richardson, G. A., Science, 93, 310 (1941).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nutrition, Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine,

    ALASTAIR N. WORDEN

  2. Institute of Animal Pathology, University of Cambridge,

    ALASTAIR N. WORDEN

Authors
  1. ALASTAIR N. WORDEN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

WORDEN, A. Xanthine Oxidase Activity of Cow's Milk. Nature 152, 505–506 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/152505a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/152505a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing