HYOCHO′LIC ACID

C 25 H 40 O 4 . Syn. Glycohyocholalic acid . A compound peculiar to the gall of pigs, discovered by Strecker and Gundelach. Prep. The fresh gall of pigs is mixed with a solution of sulphate of sodium; the precipitate is di olved in absolute alcohol, and decolourised by animal charcoal. From this solution ether throws down hyocholate of sodium, which, on the addition of sulphuric acid, yields hyocholic acid as a resinous ma , which is di olved in alcohol, re-precipitated by water, and dried. When heated with alkaline solutions, glycocine and a new crystalline acid (hyocholalic acid) are formed. When boiled with acids, it yields glycocine and hyodyslysin.