Resolution of the initial phase controversy in the thiamine-polyphenol reaction.

The kinetics of interactions between thiamine and seven polyphenols were followed by two types of thiochrome assays. The assays on the reaction mixture showed the extremely rapid initial phase whereas those on the eluate of the mixture previously treated by the Decalso column did not. The former assay methods also produced higher estimates of thiamine modification than the latter over the period of 3 hours of reaction. Arguments are given to show the probable non-existence of the observed extremely rapid initial phase. Reinterpretation of some past results are also presented.