PSXII-11 Evaluation of Yellow-Flowered Subspecies Falcata Alfalfa to Purple Flowered Medicago Sativa for Northern Plains: Productivity, Nutrient Profile, and in Vitro True dry Matter Digestibility

The protein content and nitrogen fixation capabilities of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) make it valuable in cropland and rangelands. However, the semi-arid Northern Great Plains climate negatively affects stand establishment and persistence. Falcata alfalfa (Medicago sativa subs. Falcata) produces adventitious shoots from roots, improving stress and drought resistance. This study compared production and forage quality for yellow- flowered falcata alfalfa (FAL) to a conventional alfalfa (var. Vernal [MSP]). Plots were established as randomized complete block design with four replications. Each cultivar was seeded in 2019 as a monoculture. In 2020, two harvests were made and sampled. Dry matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value of alfalfa were determined. Results showed first cut DMY was 4,228±361 and 3,442±720 kg/ha for the FAL and MSP, respectively. Results for forage quality for first harvest indicate that FAL alfalfa had greater (P < 0.05) ash (10.36 vs. 9.85 %), lignin (7. 86 vs. 7. 14 %), acid detergent fiber (ADF: 38.4 vs. 33.4%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF: 45.4 vs. 39.0 %) but less crude protein (CP; 18.7 vs. 21.2 %, DM basis), total digestible nutrients (TDN: 59.2 vs. 55.5%), non- fiber carbohydrates (NFC; 186 vs. 164), sugar (8.4 vs. 7.0 %), in vitro true dry matter digestibility after a 48-h incubation (IVTDMD48: 58.6 vs. 55.8%), compared with FAL. However, for the second harvest, DMY was 2,837±361 kg/ha for FAL, which had greater CP (20.4 vs. 19.4%), similar ADF (35.4 vs. 35.0), NDF (42.7 vs. 41.8 %), and IVTDMD48 (65.6 vs. 64.0%), but lower lignin (7.68 vs. 7.84%) and TDN (58.1 vs 58.9%) than MSP which yielded 2546 ±515 kg/ha. Falcata had greater nutritive value at second cutting and greater yield compared with Medicago but generally differed little for quality, suggesting falcata can be a viable alternative legume for Northern Plains.

306 Cattle Performance and Forage Nutrients While Grazing an Integrated Crop-Livestock System Compared with Grass Pasture in the Northern Great Plains

Many integrated crop-livestock system (ICL) studies have been conducted, but few report cattle performance and forage nutrients. Here, we report one year of cattle weight gains for Angus yearling heifers and steers grazing ICL plots (ICL) or tame grass pastures (PAS) in four replicates. Five yearlings (avg. BW 390 ± 26 kg) were randomly assigned to graze each plot while provided ad libitum water and trace mineral salt. Cattle assigned to ICL grazed three crop rotations: 1) corn interseeded with soybean (C/S), 2) spring wheat interseeded with cover crop and 3) cover crop planted into spring wheat from the previous year. Yearlings in ICL were stocked first on green C/S, grazing an average of 60 days. Beginning C/S biomass was 1,827 ± 638 g m−2, yearling end BW was 465 ± 34 kg and ADG 1.28 ± 0.27 kg. Yearlings then grazed residual cover crop growth, averaging additional 42 d grazing while supplemented with a ration of baled cover crop forage, wheat straw, and corn. Ration intake averaged 15.35 ±0.6 kg animal-1 d-1. Final BW of ICL yearlings on cover crops averaged 499 ± 34 kg, ADG of 0.79 ± 0.29 kg. Yearlings assigned PAS were provided 1,911 ± 162 g m−2 at the beginning of grazing for 69 days, had final BW 443 ± 35 kg, ADG of 1.01 ± 0.22. Forage nutrient analyses are reported in Table 1, showing that individual crops are similar in ADF and TDN, but vary in crude protein content. Performance of ICL cattle exceeded that of PAS while on corn and soybean but decreased ICL performance while grazing cover crop was likely due to extreme cold weather at the time of grazing. Nutrient values reported here can be used to plan and predict cattle growth while grazing crop residues instead of pastures.

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Understanding the influence of trenbolone acetate and polyamines on proliferation of bovine satellite cells

Approximately 90% of beef cattle on feed in the United States receive at least one anabolic implant, which results in increased growth, efficiency, and economic return to producers. However, the complete molecular mechanism through which anabolic implants function to improve skeletal muscle growth remains unknown. This study had 2 objectives: (1) determine the effect of polyamines and their precursors on proliferation rate in bovine satellite cells (BSC); and (2) understand whether trenbolone acetate (TBA), a testosterone analog, has an impact on the polyamine biosynthetic pathway. To address these, BSC were isolated from 3 finished steers and cultured. Once cultures reached 75% confluency, they were treated in 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and/or 10 nM TBA, 10 mM methionine (Met), 8 mM ornithine (Orn), 2 mM putrescine (Put), 1.5 mM spermidine (Spd), or 0.5 mM spermine (Spe). Initially, a range of physiologically relevant concentrations of Met, Orn, Put, Spd, and Spe were tested to determine experimental doses to implement the aforementioned experiments. One, 12, or 24 h after treatment, mRNA was isolated from cultures and abundance of paired box transcription factor 7 (Pax7), Sprouty 1 (Spry), mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (Mapk), ornithine decarboxylase (Odc), and S adenosylmethionine (Amd1) were determined, and normalized to 18S. No treatment × time interactions were observed (P ≥ 0.05). Treatment with TBA, Met, Orn, Put, Spd, or Spe increased (P ≤ 0.05) BSC proliferation when compared with control cultures. Treatment of cultures with Orn or Met increased (P ≤ 0.01) expression of Odc 1 h after treatment when compared with control cultures. Abundance of Amd1 was increased (P < 0.01) 1 h after treatment in cultures treated with Spd or Spe when compared with 1% FBS controls. Cultures treated with TBA had increased (P < 0.01) abundance of Spry mRNA 12 h after treatment, as well as increased mRNA abundance of Mapk (P < 0.01) 12 h and 24 h after treatment when compared with 1% FBS control cultures. Treatment with Met increased (P < 0.01) mRNA abundance of Pax7 1 h after treatment as compared with 1% FBS controls. These results indicate that treatments of BSC cultures with polyamines and their precursors increase BSC proliferation rate, as well as abundance of mRNA involved in cell proliferation. In addition, treatment of BSC cultures with TBA, polyamines, or polyamine precursors impacts expression of genes related to the polyamine biosynthetic pathway and proliferation.

Urine volume and nitrogen excretion are altered by feeding birdsfoot trefoil compared with alfalfa in lactating dairy cows1

Legumes that contain condensed tannins may have lower ruminal protein degradation than alfalfa. The present study investigated the effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) hay on lactational performance and N utilization and excretion. Eight multiparous Holstein cows in midlactation (150 ± 22.3 d-in-milk) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments [alfalfa hay-based total mixed ration (AHT) or birdsfoot trefoil hay-based total mixed ration (BHT)] in a crossover design with 2 experimental periods. Each experimental period lasted 17 d (14 d of adaptation and 3 d of sampling and total collection). Hays comprised approximately 50% of DM in experimental diets. There were no treatment effects on dry matter intake (DMI; 21.4 vs. 20.7 kg/d), milk yield (29.4 vs. 28.1 kg/d), milk fat concentration (3.20% vs. 3.21%), and milk protein concentration (3.20% vs. 3.16%) for AHT and BHT, respectively. In addition, dietary treatments did not affect milk yield/DMI or energy-corrected milk yield/DMI. In contrast, apparent crude protein digestion decreased in cows fed BHT compared with those fed AHT (60.7% vs. 69.1%). Concentration of milk urea-N decreased by feeding BHT compared with AHT (11.9 vs. 13.3 mg/100 mL), whereas total N excretion did not differ between AHT and BHT diets. However, cows fed BHT excreted more N in feces (194 vs. 168 g/d), whereas urinary N excretion was lower compared with cows fed AHT. The shift of N to feces resulted in a decrease in urinary N:fecal N ratio in cows fed BHT relative to those fed AHT. Overall results in the current study suggest that feeding birdsfoot trefoil in dairy diets shifts routes of N from urine to feces compared with feeding alfalfa hay, with little effect on lactational performance. Reduction in urinary N and any impact on environment may be attributed to functional effect of condensed tannins in birdsfoot trefoil hay.

High-purity 4-nitrophenol: purification, characterization, and specifications for use as a spectrophotometric reference material

We describe specifications for high-purity 4-nitrophenol, which is suitable for spectrophotometric standardization. Such a reference material is needed in clinical enzymology to establish the proper molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol under final reaction conditions, particularly for measuring alkaline phosphatase activity in human serum. Some lots of 4-nitrophenol available commercially met these specifications, but several did not. The latter can be purified to meet our specifications by recrystallization or sublimation. The molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol (35 μmol/L) IN 10 mmol/L NaOH at 25 °C at 401 nm is 18380 +/− 90 L.mol−1.cm−1.

Effect of tannin-containing hays on enteric methane emissions and nitrogen partitioning in beef cattle1

The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding tannin-containing hays to heifers and mature beef cows influences enteric methane (CH4) emissions and nitrogen (N) excretion relative to feeding traditional legume and grass hays. Fifteen mature beef cows (Exp. 1) and 9 yearling heifers (Exp. 2) were each randomly assigned to treatment groups in an incomplete bock design with 2 periods and 6 types of hays with 3 hays fed each period (n = 5 cows and 3 heifers per treatment). Groups were fed tannin-containing [birdsfoot trefoil (BFT), sainfoin (SAN), small burnet (SML)] or non-tannin-containing [alfalfa (ALF), cicer milkvetch (CMV), meadow bromegrass (MB)] hays. Each period consisted of 14 d of adjustment followed by 5 d of sample collection. Nine cows and 9 heifers were selected for the measurement of enteric CH4 emissions (sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique), and excretion of feces and urine, while dry matter intake (DMI) was measured for all animals. The concentration of condensed tannins in SAN and BFT was 2.5 ± 0.50% and 0.6 ± 0.09% of dry matter (DM), respectively, while SML contained hydrolyzable tannins (4.5 ± 0.55% of DM). Cows and heifers fed tannin-containing hays excreted less urinary urea N (g/d; P < 0.001) and showed lower concentrations of blood urea N (mg/dL; P < 0.001) than animals fed ALF or CMV, indicating that tannins led to a shift in route of N excretion from urine to feces. Additionally, cows fed either BFT or CMV showed the greatest percentage of retained N (P < 0.001). Enteric CH4 yield (g/kg of DMI) from heifers (P = 0.089) was greatest for MB, while daily CH4 production (g/d) from heifers (P = 0.054) was least for SML. However, digestibility of crude protein was reduced for cows (P < 0.001) and heifers (P < 0.001) consuming SML. The results suggest that tannin-containing hays have the potential to reduce urinary urea N excretion, increase N retention, and reduce enteric CH4 emissions from beef cattle. The non-bloating tannin-free legume CMV may also reduce environmental impacts relative to ALF and MB hays by reducing N excretion in urine and increasing N retention.

Effect of Different Sources of Supplemental Zinc on Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Lambs

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element in the growth of all animals and plays structural and catalytic roles in many enzymes and functional proteins. Two completely randomized trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of different sources of zinc on performance, nutrient digestibility, blood mineral profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in male growing lambs on a barley-based diet. The first trial was conducted for 70 days and consisted of 30 lambs (30.8 ± 2.8 kg mean body weight, 4-5 months of age) which were randomly allocated to five treatments consisting of a basal diet (19.72 mg Zn/kg DM), or the basal diet supplemented with 30 mg Zn/kg DM, added as either zinc-sulfate (ZnSulf; inorganic), zinc-methionine (ZnMet), zinc-proteinate (ZnProt) or zinc-glycinate (ZnGly). For the second trial, to measure the effects of dietary Zn on nutrient digestibility, four lambs from each group of the first experiment were randomly allocated to individual digestibility cages for 12 days (first 7 days as an adaptation period followed by 5 days of sample collection). Among the groups, dietary Zn supplementation above basal level significantly improved average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed/gain ratio, and superoxide dismutase activity of red blood cells (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity of lambs supplemented with organic Zn was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than inorganic and control groups. At the end of the trial, the concentration of plasma Zn, tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and the activity of alkaline phosphatase was increased (P < 0.05) in all groups receiving Zn as compared with controls (P < 0.05). In addition, thyroxine level in animals supplemented with Zn-methionine and Zn-proteinate was greater than in animals receiving Zn-glycine and Zn-sulfate. The results of the second trial revealed that the supplementation with Zn-methionine and Zn-proteinate increased the digestibility of crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared to groups supplemented with Zn sulfate and control (P < 0.05). All organic sources of Zn improved organic matter (OM) digestibility compared to inorganic and control (P < 0.05). Results indicated that, regardless of source, supplementation of Zn in growing lambs improved growth performance, blood antioxidants, and thyroid hormone levels. Furthermore, Zn-methionine and Zn-proteinate supplementation appeared to improve the digestibility of CP, OM, and ADF more effectively than Zn-sulfate.

Reporting temporal fluctuations of hepatic C16 and C18 fatty acids during late gestation and early lactation in dromedary camel

Based on current knowledge, C16 and C18 fatty acids (FA) are considered the most functional FA in hepatic metabolism. Although these FAs have been satisfyingly investigated in cattle, other species such as camel have been neglected. For this reason, the current study was designed to scrutinize changing patterns of C16 and C18 FAs in 10 dromedary camels from the last 2 months of gestation to the first months of lactation. Camels were grazed on natural pasture and supplemented with a balanced ration. Liver biopsies were obtained through blind biopsy technique at about 60, 45, 30, and 15-day antepartum (AP), and at 3, 15, 30, 45, and 60 post-partum (PP). Data were analyzed by the ANOVA procedure of SPSS with repeated measurements. From 15-day AP, saturated FA content of the liver declined (P < 0.01) and 15-day PP reached its peak (P = 0.02). At 30-day PP it went down (P < 0.01), and re-elevated at 45-day PP (P < 0.01) but remained at a steady state for the duration of the study. Mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated FA content of hepatic tissue were constant throughout AP, albeit observed to peak at 15-day AP compared with 45 (P = 0.04) and 30-day AP (P < 0.01) for mono-unsaturated FAs, and with 60-, 45-, and 30-day AP (P ≤ 0.01) for polyunsaturated FAs. The palmitic acid content of the liver reached a nadir at 30-day AP (P < 0.01), increased sharply (P < 0.01) at the next sampling time-point, and had a trend to escalate until 3-day PP. Palmitoleic acid levels were unchanged from 60- to 30-day AP, decreased at 15 AP and 3-day PP, increased at 15-day PP, then remained constant until the end of the study period (P ≤ 0.04). Stearic acid content started to grow at 15-day AP and reached its peak at 15-day PP (P < 0.01). At 30-day PP, stearic level in liver dropped abruptly (P < 0.01), then intensified at 45-day PP and did not change after; hepatic content of stearic acid was lower during AP compared with PP time-points. Other C18 FAs changed significantly during the study period. These results suggest that parturition could have a profound effect on FA composition and other metabolites in camel liver. Further research is required to establish the metabolic mechanism behind these changes.

Effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay on neutral detergent fiber digestion, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and lactational performance by dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diets in comparison with an alfalfa hay-based diet on N utilization efficiency, ruminal fermentation, and lactational performance by mid-lactation dairy cows. Nine multiparous lactating Holstein cows (131 ± 22.6 d in milk), 3 of which were rumen fistulated, were fed 3 experimental diets in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 periods of 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Within squares, cows were randomly assigned to diets as follows: alfalfa hay-based diet (AHT), alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (ABT), and birdsfoot trefoil hay-based diet (BT). Intakes of dry matter and crude protein were similar across treatments, whereas ABT and BT diets resulted in decreased fiber intake compared with AHT. Feeding BT tended to increase neutral detergent fiber digestibility compared with AHT and ABT. Milk yield tended to increase for cows consuming ABT or BT diets. Milk true protein concentration and yield were greater for cows consuming ABT relative to those fed AHT. Concentration of total volatile fatty acids tended to increase by cows fed BT compared with those fed AHT and ABT. Feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay in a total mixed ration resulted in a tendency to decrease acetate proportion, but it tended to increase propionate proportion, leading to a tendency to decrease acetate-to-propionate ratio. Whereas concentration of ammonia-N was similar across treatments, cows offered BT exhibited greater microbial protein yield relative to those fed AHT and ABT. Cows offered birdsfoot trefoil hay diets secreted more milk N than AHT, resulting in improved N utilization efficiency for milk N. The positive effects due to feeding birdsfoot trefoil hay were attributed to enhanced neutral detergent fiber digestion, and thus it could replace alfalfa hay in high-forage dairy diets while improving N utilization efficiencies and maintaining lactational performance compared with alfalfa hay.

Physicochemical Evolution and Molecular Adaptation of the Cetacean and Artiodactyl Cytochrome b Proteins

Cetaceans have most likely experienced metabolic shifts since evolutionarily diverging from their terrestrial ancestors, shifts that may be reflected in the proteins such as cytochrome b that are responsible for metabolic efficiency. However, accepted statistical methods for detecting molecular adaptation are largely biased against even moderately conservative proteins because the primary criterion involves a comparison of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates (dN/dS); they do not allow for the possibility that adaptation may come in the form of very few amino acid changes. We apply the MM01 model to the possible molecular adaptation of cytochrome b among cetaceans because it does not rely on a dN/dS ratio, instead evaluating positive selection in terms of the amino acid properties that comprise protein phenotypes that selection at the molecular level may act upon. We also apply the codon-degeneracy model (CDM), which focuses on evaluating overall patterns of nucleotide substitution in terms of base exchange, codon position, and synonymy to estimate the overall effect of selection. Using these relatively new models, we characterize the molecular adaptation that has occurred in the cetacean cytochrome b protein by comparing revealed amino acid replacement patterns to those found among artiodactyls, the modern terrestrial mammals found to be most closely related to cetaceans. Our findings suggest that several regions of the cetacean cytochrome b protein have experienced molecular adaptation. Also, these adaptations are spatially associated with domain structure, protein function, and the structure and function of the cytochrome bc(1) complex and its constituents. We also have found a general correlation between the results of the analytical software programs TreeSAAP (which implements the MM01 model) and CDM (which implements the codon-degeneracy model).

Fabrication of plastic microfluid channels by imprinting methods

Microfluidic devices have been fabricated on poly(methyl methacrylate) substrates by two independent imprinting techniques. First-generation devices were fabricated using a small-diameter wire to create an impression in plastics softened by low-temperature heating. The resulting devices are limited to only simple linear channel designs but are readily produced at low cost. Second-generation devices with more complex microchannel arrangements were fabricated by imprinting the plastic substrates using an inverse three-dimensional image of the device micromachined on a silicon wafer. This micromachined template may be used repeatedly to generate devices reproducibly. Fluorescent analtyes were used to demonstrate reproducible electrophoretic injections. An immunoassay was also performed in an imprinted device as a demonstration of future applications.

Certification of phencyclidine in lyophilized human urine reference materials

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly the National Bureau of Standards), in cooperation with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), has certified the concentrations of phencyclidine (PCP) in two new reference materials (RMs). One of these materials is Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1511, Multidrugs of Abuse in Freeze-dried Urine, and the other material is a CAP PCP RM. In order to minimize the possibility of undetected bias, two independent analytical methods, employing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, were used to certify PCP in these materials. Results from the two methods were in good agreement and were statistically combined to yield certified values of 23.8 ng/mL for PCP in SRM 1511 and 11.9, 23.4, and 49.5 ng/mL for three levels of PCP in the CAP RM. A round-robin study of SRM 1511 among five military laboratories demonstrated the suitability of the SRM for its intended purpose.

The certification of morphine and codeine in a human urine standard reference material

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, formerly the National Bureau of Standards) has developed and certified a Standard Reference Material, SRM 2381, for use in testing for bias in determinations of morphine and codeine in human urine. Each unit of this SRM consists of three vials with different levels of morphine and codeine in lyophilized urine. Three different analytical methods, employing GC/MS, LC/MS, and MS/MS, were used to certify the concentrations of each analyte. Results from the three methods were in good agreement and, therefore, were statistically combined to yield certified values of 138, 293, and 578 ng/mL for morphine and 134, 283, and 591 for codeine. A round-robin study on this material among nine military laboratories demonstrated the suitability of the SRM for its intended purpose.

Determination of Oltipraz in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with optical absorbance and mass spectrometric detection

Three methods have been developed for the analysis of Oltipraz in serum. A method suitable for routine use employs spiking with a homologous internal standard, off-line solid-phase extraction, high-performance liquid chromatographic separation, and optical absorbance detection at 450 nm. Method detection limit is about 1 ng/ml. A second method, less susceptible to bias from co-eluting interferences, uses a stable isotope-labeled internal standard, similar extraction and separation, and detection by thermospray mass spectrometry. Method detection limit is about 0.2 ng/ml. A third method was developed which can be used without specially synthesized internal standards. It uses on-line solid-phase extraction, with quantification by comparison with external standards. Method detection limit is about 3 ng/ml. Good agreement was observed between these methods and with similar and different methods run in other laboratories. Calibration curves were linear over the entire range which was investigated, i.e., up to 500 ng/ml. Coefficients of variation were similar for all three methods, being about 5%.

The certification of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in a human urine standard reference material

The concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine (BE) in Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1508, cocaine and metabolites in freeze-dried human urine, were determined at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, formerly NBS) by two independent methods. For cocaine, one method was based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS); the other was based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For BE, one method was based on GC/MS; the other was based on flow injection analysis/thermospray mass spectrometry (FIA/MS). The results for each pair of methods were statistically evaluated. Concentrations were determined in the SRM for three levels of cocaine and three levels of benzoylecgonine. Methylecgonine, although present in the material, was not determined. For cocaine, the concentrations were 90, 263, and 429 ng/mL of human urine. For BE, the concentrations were 103, 259, and 510 ng/mL of human urine.

Determination of glycyrrhetinic acid in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for measuring 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) in human plasma in the range of 0.1-3 micrograms/ml. The acetate ester of GRA is added to the plasma as an internal standard, plasma proteins are denatured with urea to release GRA, and the GRA and the internal standard are extracted in an ion-pairing solid-phase extraction process. An isocratic, reversed-phase HPLC separation is used, followed by ultraviolet absorbance detection at 248 nm. The results from the analysis of five GRA-fortified plasma pools show a mean relative standard deviation of 7% and are accurate to within 10%. With evaporative concentration of the extract, the limit of detection for GRA in plasma is approximately 10 ng/ml.

High-purity 4-nitrophenol: purification, characterization, and specifications for use as a spectrophotometric reference material

We describe specifications for high-purity 4-nitrophenol, which is suitable for spectrophotometric standardization. Such a reference material is needed in clinical enzymology to establish the proper molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol under final reaction conditions, particularly for measuring alkaline phosphatase activity in human serum. Some lots of 4-nitrophenol available commercially met these specifications, but several did not. The latter can be purified to meet our specifications by recrystallization or sublimation. The molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol (35 mumol/L) IN 10 mmol/L NaOH at 25 degrees C at 401 nm is 18380 +/- 90 L.mol-1.cm-1.

High-purity 4-nitrophenol: purification, characterization, and specifications for use as a spectrophotometric reference material

We describe specifications for high-purity 4-nitrophenol, which is suitable for spectrophotometric standardization. Such a reference material is needed in clinical enzymology to establish the proper molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol under final reaction conditions, particularly for measuring alkaline phosphatase activity in human serum. Some lots of 4-nitrophenol available commercially met these specifications, but several did not. The latter can be purified to meet our specifications by recrystallization or sublimation. The molar absorptivity of 4-nitrophenol (35 μmol/L) IN 10 mmol/L NaOH at 25 °C at 401 nm is 18380 +/− 90 L.mol−1.cm−1.