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Studies on putrefactive ethanol production. I: Lack of spontaneous ethanol production in intact human bodies
Abstract:
The possibility of the production of ethanol by bacterial metabolism of blood glucose was investigated by studying a series of 26 hospital autopsies. The patients died from a wide variety of nontraumatic causes and the bodies were transported within 4 h of death to the morgue, where they were refrigerated for 0 to 28 h before samples of vitreous humor were collected for ethanol analysis. In addition, right heart blood was obtained using sterile technique for cultures as well as ethanol and glucose determinations. Ethanol was measured using gas-liquid chromatography, and glucose values were determined with a glucose oxidase method. In 13 cases, one to three species of microorganisms were isolated, but in no case was a blood or vitreous ethanol value greater than 10 mg/dL recorded. Ethanol values were also less than 10 mg/dL in the 13 cases with negative culture results. These data strongly suggest that de-novo production of ethanol by microbial metabolism does not occur in intact bodies which are refrigerated within 4 h of death. The detection of ethanol under such conditions is therefore probably indicative of antemortem consumption.
Insights
Bacterial metabolism does not produce significant ethanol in refrigerated bodies postmortem. This suggests that any detected blood ethanol levels likely indicate antemortem (before death) consumption, not postmortem production.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Microbiology
- Postmortem Biochemistry
Background:
- Postmortem ethanol production by microbial metabolism of glucose is a potential confounding factor in forensic investigations.
- Accurate determination of blood ethanol concentration is crucial for establishing cause of death and legal implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for de-novo ethanol production by bacterial metabolism of blood glucose in postmortem human samples.
- To determine if microbial activity in refrigerated cadavers can lead to measurable ethanol levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vitreous humor and blood samples from 26 autopsy cases refrigerated within 4 hours of death.
- Ethanol levels measured by gas-liquid chromatography; glucose by glucose oxidase method.
- Microbial cultures performed on blood samples to identify microorganisms.
Main Results:
- No cases showed blood or vitreous ethanol levels exceeding 10 mg/dL, regardless of microbial presence.
- Microorganisms were isolated in 13 cases, but ethanol production was not detected.
- Consistently low ethanol values (<10 mg/dL) were observed in both culture-positive and culture-negative samples.
Conclusions:
- De-novo microbial production of ethanol does not occur in intact bodies refrigerated promptly after death.
- Detected ethanol in such cases is likely attributable to antemortem consumption.
- This finding supports the reliability of postmortem ethanol measurements for indicating antemortem alcohol intake.