AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

The investigations which led to the discovery of vitamin P were undertaken by Armentano, Szent-Gyorgyi and co-workers to determine why purified ascorbic acid, in contrast to the crude product, was a therapeutic failure in vascular purpura. Since earlier work on plants had shown that ascorbic acid was coupled with an essential flavone, the experimenters proceeded to isolate this substance. From about 200 kg of lemons or 70 L of lemon juice, approximately 2 g of flavone material could be obtained, which because of its yellow color and origin was named citrin.[...]