Experimental studies on the mechanism of ethanol formation in corpses

Various in vitro experiments were performed for the purpose of clarifying the mechanism of ethanol production in corpses. Whereas a negligible quantity of ethanol was produced in the blood alone, which was left at room temperature, the quantity of ethanol was slightly increased by addition of glucose to the blood. When saprogens were further added, the quantity was markedly increased. Various materials were added to blood-liver homogenates as specimens, and the mixtures were stored in an incubator at 37 degrees C. As a result of the addition of an antibiotic to the mixture every day, there was hardly any production of ethanol. When alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) were added, ethanol production was slightly increased. When acetaldehyde was added first, ethanol production was inhibited the next day, but on and after day 2, the quantity of ethanol was more than that in the control material. When pyruvic acid was added first, the results were similar to the above. Pyrazole, cyanamide, and disulfiram completely inhibited the production of ethanol. Ethanol production in corpses is believed to take place through a pathway opposite to that of ethanol metabolism in the living body, under the influence of ADH, ALDH, etc., in saprogens using carbohydrates as substrates.