CHEMICAL RESEARCH

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 2

CHEMICAL RESEARCH

WORK OF OTAGO UNIVERSITY Gratification was expressed at last night’s meeting of the Otago Institute by the chairman (Dr Holloway) at the good work that was being carried out by the chemistry department at the University. It was quite a hive of industry, and a good deal of research work was being done by University students in one department or another, and though all of it was xxdt published it was kept on record for the use of other students. The institute stood for the carrying on of research work, and members wore pleased at the work being done by the chemistry department, of which Mr C. L. Carter was a x-epre-aentativc. Mr Carter addressed a fairly large gathering of members, his subject being ‘ Research Contributions from the Chemistry Laboratory, Otago University.’ ' Mr Carter said that the outstanding results in research work had bean obtained in the field of inorganic chemistry. The brilliant researches of Thomson, Rutherford, Aston, Lewis, and Bohr gave the conception of the inner most structure of atoms, with their planetory systems of electrons encircling a centre 'sphere of positive electri fication These researches had entirely revolutionised the main ideas of >, the nature and interactions of matter.

Recent advances in organic chemistry had been made' chiefly in the field of natural products. Research in the isolation and analysis of vital px-oducts had elucidated the architecture of molecules, and had paved the way to their artificial synthesis. Most important in this respect bad been the chemical investigation of caoutchouc, liaerain, chlorophyll, pbyroxine, and the carbohydrates. The value of such research needed Ho better example than the interplay of chemistry and industry in the production of rubber, the annual value of which exceeded £45.000.000. The chemistry of chlorophyll and hacmin had shown that these two substances, important in the economy of plants and animals respectively, had a common function and a common chemical foundation—viz., setioporphyrin. In relation to industry, it was said New Zealand was behind in its research work in regard to economy of production and utilisation of waste products. Tho Cawthron. Institute, which was specialising in biological and agricultural research, had done a great deal, and good results were anticipated from tiie Massey Agricultural College. Tho chemistry research at Otago University was carried on mainly bv honour students, said Mr Carter, and they prepared theses for presentation to the New Zealand University. Post-gradu-ate students, under the direction of Dr fnglis, also engaged iu research work, and since tho war those who had been engaged in research had been increasing in numbers. A great amount of the work had been published in journals of chemistry and industry, and other results of research work were available at the University. Tho work that was carried out demanded on the part of those engaged not onlv resourceful ness, hut technique and a desire to do hard work. The success of the department in its research work was due in a largo measure to the efforts of Dr Inglis, who had fostered tho spirit of research. There were now four honour and six post-graduate students doing separate researches in the department. Since the war the general research work had included investigations in all branches ,of chemistry. The most extensive research had been conducted in tho isolation of essential oils and other products from New Zealand plants. Tho following plants bad been investigated by various workers:—Manuka, rata (various species), polmtnkawa, tbo New Zealand pepper tree, Ngnio, aiid tho conifers, white pine, riinu (red pine), black pine,, silver pine, totara, cedar, and dacrydium bifonne. Tho leaves and twigs were steam-distilled, and tho odoriferous oils obtained had been analysed to identity and classify the pure chemical substances they contained. The essential oils which were obtained exclusively from plants, and to which plants and flowers owed their characteristic aroma, were valuable as perfumes, essences, and medicinal drugs. In these researches new chemical substances had been isolated, and their properties and structure were studied. Without such research the full value of the medicinal and economic qualities of New Zealand’s natural flora could not bo ascertained.

Other natural products investigated included dilo oil'(from the nuts of.tho dilo tree indigenous to Fiji), which had been shown to bo a fixed oil belonging to the laurel oil group. Mutton-bird oil, extracted from the stomach of tho sooty petrel (Austrelata lesson!), had been shown to be a liquid wax, which was not easily digestible, and the body fat to bo of different chemical nature. Tho latter was a true animal fat, which was used for soap making. The stomach oil would not appear to have any dietetic value. The wool wax recovered from the scouring liquors had been studied with a view to establishing in New Zealand n recovery process such as was in operation in the larger woollen mills in Eng land. The nature and chemical composition of the wax was engaging present research. Tho chemistry of phormium tenax had been investigated with a view to improved methods for isolation of the fibre and for the bleaching by chemical re-agents on a commercial scale. The chemical bleaching was a good improvement on tho present method of grassing and wiring, and further research in this important question was worth while. The incidence of goitre and its relation to soil iodine was studied conjointly by the medical, geological, and chemical departments. Tho occurrence of iodine in soils had been shown to be inversely proportional to the goitre incidence. The use of iodised salt had been recommended as a _ prophylactic and euro for goitre in incipient stages, and it had recentlv been estimated that about 68.000 tons of iodised salt was an important necessary in New Zealand to keep our thyroid glands in good u'orking order. Present research included the investigation of essential oils from tho bay tree (from- which bay rum was made), the New Zealand pepper tree, and an agricultural research into the relation between tbo acidity of soils and the lime requirements: while pasture grasses were being analysed to ascertain the organic sulphur content with a view to correlation with the sulphur content of wool. This was by no means a complete account of the activities of the chemistry department, said Mr Carter, where a number were always engaged in re search on pure chemical synthesis and on other problems of academic interest The majority of the researches had been published in journals of science and industry, and were available for inspection at the University. Aftei answering questions Mr Carter was accorded a hearty vote of t thanks