Gunzburg Reaction
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Gunzburg reaction is a test used to determine free hydrochloric acid in gastric contents. It consists of 2 g of phloroglucin and 1 g of vanillin in 30 g of alcohol, which forms a red spot when free HCl is present.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Gunzburg Reaction (Gunzburg), serves for determining free HCl in gastric contents. Composition: 2 g of phloroglucin and 1 g of vanillin in 30 g of alcohol. To perform the test, a few drops of the reagent and gastric contents are carefully evaporated on the lid of a porcelain crucible. If free HCl is present, a red spot of crystals remains on the lid. The coloring quickly disappears with further heating. In quantitative determination of free HCl, the moment of its disappearance during titration with 1/10 alkali can only be controlled by periodic qualitative tests according to Gunzburg (Mintz-Fleiner method), which determines the inaccuracy of the method. The advantage of the reagent is its sensitivity only to free mineral acid. The reagent is stored in a dark vessel, as it otherwise decomposes fairly quickly.
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Cite this page
“Gunzburg Reaction.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gunzburg-reaction/