Xref: utzoo sci.bio:4041 rec.food.cooking:22772
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ub!kitty!larry
From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,rec.food.cooking
Subject: Re: blue urine from food
Summary: "Asparagus Urine"
Message-ID: <4212@kitty.UUCP>
Date: 1 Dec 90 16:57:18 GMT
References: <1990Oct29.161332.27997@agate.berkeley.edu> <999@ai.cs.utexas.edu> <21862@well.sf.ca.us>
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 29

In article <21862@well.sf.ca.us>, wjwhite@well.sf.ca.us (Bill White) writes:
> I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone comment on the OTHER effect of diet on
> urine: namely, asparagus.  I'm not sure of the biomedical logistics, but I
> know from experience that some of us have a problem digesting that wonderful,
> lovely, fruit-of-the-earth, on account of the dreadful odor it imparts
> to one's urine.  I'm told this effect is harmless, that it is genetic and
> results from the inability of some people to produce a certain enzyme
> (l-asparaginase, if I remember rightly).
> 
> I'd almost be curious to take a poll here of how many of us know just what I'm
> talking about and how many don't and I'd appreciate a more detailed explana-
> tion of this phenomenon from the medical types amongst us.

	I do know what you are referring to, but in an indirect manner
as related by others.  Since I do not eat asparagus, I have no firsthand
knowledge of the "effect".  :-)

	The odor-producing substances excreted in the urine are believed to
be a mixture of methanethiol (similar to ethanethiol, used as an odorizer
for natural gas) and an amine derived from asparagine and succinic acid.

	 I believe that the precursor of the odor-producing substances
found in asparagus is not the amino acid asparagine per se, but is some
thio derivative of the amino acid methionine.  There have been papers
written on this topic (check Index Medicus), but I have not read them.

Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp.  "Have you hugged your cat today?"
VOICE: 716/688-1231   {boulder, rutgers, watmath}!ub!kitty!larry
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