Inactivation of Vitamin B 1 by Raw Fish. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Previous observations that a dietary deficiency disease, produced in foxes by feeding raw fish, is fundamentally a B₁ avitaminosis, have been confirmed in the chick. The additional observation has been made that this condition can be reproduced in foxes which have recovered from a previous attack. Evidence obtained from experimentation in vitro confirms the observation previously made in vivo that the inactivation of vitamin B₁ by raw carp occurs within the feed mixture itself. The level of inactivation depends upon the length of time that the fish is in contact with the feed mixture. Studies to standardize the conditions of the reaction are now in progress. Present evidence indicates that the reaction may be enzymatic in nature.