Effect of p-nitro-substitution on the metabolism of benzoic acid in the Indian fruit bat.

The introduction of a nitro-group at the 4-position of benzoic acid does not alter remarkably the metabolic pattern of benzoic acids in the fruit bat. It is shown here that the Indian fruit bat does not form hippuric acid with nitro benzoic acid, the main conjugate being the glucuronide in addition to other conjugates suspected to be p-amino benzoylglutamic acid and p-nitro benzoylglutamic acid respectively. More unmetabolized nitrobenzoic acid is present in the 24hr. urine than reported for unsubstituted benzoic acid. The Indian fruit bat exhibits an appreciable ability to reduce the nitrogroup in nitrobenzoic acid to the amino compound and to acetylate the amino group to the acetamido compound.