A study of the carbonaceous matter of maple syrup which is precipitated by basic lead acetate

When a solution of basic lead acetate is added to a maple syrup solution, a heavy, voluminous precipitate is formed which varies in colour from a dark brown to almost white. Malates, colouring and other organic matter as well as some inorganic constituents are precipitated by the reagent. A quantitative study of this precipitate has resulted in a number of determinations which are used to detect adulteration in maple products. Previous investigators have found the precipitate to be quite high in organic matter but were able to account for about 50 percent of the carbon only. The purpose of this investigation was to isolate organic compounds which would account at least in part, for the remaining oarbon