BIRESH CHANDRA GUHA

PROFESSOR BIRESHCHANDRA GUHA,a distinguished Fellow of the National

Institute of Sciences of India, died suddenly on March 20, 1962 while
on a holiday trip in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. At the time of his death,
Dr. Guha was the Rash Behari Ghosh Professor of Applied Chemistry of
the Calcutta University. Dr. Guha was the doyen of the Indian biochemists
and will long be remembered and honoured for his contributions to Science
and for his services to the country. H e had achieved eminence by his
extensive work on the biochemistry of Vitamin C, B Vitamins and in
food and nutrition. T h e bibliography of his published work, which is
printed at the end of this article, will give an idea of the extraordinary
breadth and scope of Guha's research interest in biochemistry.

1. Birth and Parentage

Biresh Chandra comes of the well known Guha Thakurtha family of
Banaripara, in the district of Barisal (now in East Pakistan). He was born
on the 25th Jaistha of the Bengali year 13 1 I (8th June, 1904) in the town
of Mymensingh where his father, Sri Rash Behari Guha was posted at
that time. Being the youngest child, Biresh Chandra was all along brought
up in a conservative and disciplined atmosphere, under the strict attention
and guidance of his parents and elder brothers.

2, 3. Formative influences on the development of the young

scientist's mind: school and university education
From his very boyhood, Biresh Chandra imbibed the spirit of the
Swadeshi Movement which was passing at that time through a critical
phase in our National history. His maternal uncle, Sri Aswini Kumar
Dutta, an educationist and social reformer of eminence, had a profound
influence on him during the formative period of young Biresh Chandra's
career. Till 1917, Biresh Chandra had his early school education in
Brajamohon School of Barisal. In 1918, he came to Calcutta and was
admitted in the Srikrishna Pathsala wherefrom he appeared in the
.Matriculation Examination of the Calcutta University in 1919. Biresh
Chandra very much desired to study Arts in the Intermediate Course,
but his two elder brothers, who were professors of English in t
Calcutta Colleges, wanted him to take u p Science. H e was finally
 Biographical Memoirs
to take up the science course and was admitted very late in the I.Sc. Class
in the City College, Calcutta. Botany was not then taught in the City
College and he had to read Botany in the evening course at the Indian
Association for the Cultivation of Science, Bowbazar, Calcutta. It was at
the Bowbazar Science Association Hall that the writer first came in close
contact with Guha's charming personality and patriotic spirit. I n 1921,
Biresh Chandra passed the I.Sc. Examination by standing Second in order
of merit and took admission to the B.Sc. Class in Presidency College with
Chemistry Honours. Within a few months, because of his attending a
banned political party meeting, he was imprisoned and finally he was
compelled to leave Presidency College because of his political views and
affiliations. However, Biresh Chandra succeeded almost immediately
afterwards in securing admission in the St. Xavier's College from where
he passed B.Sc. Examination in the First Class standing first in order of
merit. While studying in the M.Sc. Class, Biresh Chandra became one
of the favourite students of Acharyya Prafulla Chandra Ray. Acharyya
Ray's devotion to science, selfless idealism and patriotism left a great mark
on Biresh Chandra's career, as it did on many other young scholars in
the twenties of this century.
After a brilliant academic career in Calcutta University and spending
a year of his research career under the inspiring guidance of the late
Acharyya P. C. Ray, Dr. Guha proceeded to England in 1926 and carried
out during the next 5 years, pioneering biochemical investigations with
particular reference to B vitamins in the laboratories of the late Prof. Jack
Drummand at the University College, London and the late Prof. owl and
Hopkins at the Biochemical Laboratory, Cambridge University. He
obtained both Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees of London University.

4. Contribution to Science
On his return to India in 1932, Guha was recommended by his London
Professors to take up the newly created post of Professor of Biochemistry
at the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health. Because of Guha's
political affiliations and also due to the fact that he was not a medical
biochemist, the post could not be offered to him. Later Guha joined the
Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works and initiated there many lines
of work on the preparation of vitamin concentrates and biologically active
compounds from glandular products. However, all the original ideas he
had on some of the aspects of carbohydrate metabolism, particularly on
the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, could not be developed in full vigour
with the limited facilities available at the research laboratories of the
Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works. An opportunit
on such lines presented itself when he was appointed in 1936
paratively young age to the chair of Applied Chemistry at the
College of Science, Calcutta. Soon he applied himself with
 Biresh Chanclra Guha 139
building u p of an active school of biochemistry at the Science College.
Two years later, on the award of a Ghosh Travel Fellowship from the
Calcutta University, he visited the United Kingdom and the Continent
again to study the organization and development of Biochemistry in these
countries.
During the period 1936 to 1943, Guha and his associates worked on
the vitamins and minerals contents of several types of Indian food, fresh
water and sea fish used for edible purposes, on the factors affecting the
biosynthesis of ascorbic acid in animal tissues and also on the nature and
properties of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. As part of the
problem of biosynthesis, considerable time was devoted to elucidate the
changes in the nature and the concentration of reducing substances present
in living tissues. It was also during this period that he and his co-workers
found the presence of ascorbic acid in the combined form as "ascorbigen".
Many years later from the same laboratory emerged the report on the
isolation of "niacinogen", a form of nicotinic acid found in cereal embryos
and cereal brans where the vitamin is complexed with a polypeptide.
T h e isolation of this niacin complex in the crystalline form and establish-
ment of its nature was indeed a very elegant and notable piece of work.
T h e role of the combined forms of vitamins such as ascorbigen and
niacinogen in metabolism is still obscure. There is some evidence to
indicate that these complexes break down to release free vitamin, in the
case of niacinogen, to meet the needs of the cells during germination for
extra coenzymes.
T h e man-made famine that starked Bengal in 1943 drew Guha from
the seclusion of his laboratory and literally pushed him to the fore of
public causes. H e applied all his knowledge of Biochemistry and Food
Technology to prepare cheap protein foods and digests for the treatment
of extreme cases of starvation and emaciation. The wanton suffering of
millions of people ensuing out of the denial of the elementary need of a
properly balanced and nutritious food left a deep impression on Guha
and this was indeed the primary factor that transformed him from a
research worker confined to the 'ivory tower' of his academic circles to the
uncompromising advocate for the voice of science in the counsels of
Government for the speedy implementation of its policies.
I n 1944 he took up the assignment of Technical Adviser to the Food
Department of the Government of India. Here he initiated plans for an
integrated programme of nutrition surveys for the whole country.
Although diet surveys had been conducted in different parts of the country
from time to time and it was well known that the common Indian dietaries
were deficient in proteins and vitamins, due to many factors, the Govern-
ment had not yet become alive to the serious nature of the foo
in all its dimensions. During those days there was only talk
the caloric content of the diets and all emphasis was laid for
of cereals and tubers towards the objective of providing mo
140 Biografihical Memoirs
It is apt to mention here that during his association with the administra-
tion of the Food department, Guha drew liberally from his early experience
and training in Nutrition Biochemistry acquired while working for his
Doctorate degree in London and Cambridge. As a happy coincidence, his
former Research guide, Sir Jack Drummond was at that time the Nutrition
Adviser to the United Kingdom. Studies made by Sir Jack on children
compelled to live on rationed food due to the exigency of 'Blitzkrieg' in
London and surroundings had revealed that with restricted calories as
compared to pre-war non-ration days, the children were comparatively free
from many common ailments and were growing surprisingly at a faster
rate than had been recorded before war. This was due to the fact that
although the food was rationed, under the advice of the Technical Experts,
care was taken to see that the rations provided were adequate with respect
to proteins, minerals and vitamins. Guha had available to him all this
knowledge but due to several factors he could not implement any of
them on a large scale. While associated with the Food Department, he
conceived of plans for a Food Technological Research Institute and gave
the idea some concrete shape with the active cooperation of Dr. V.
Subrahmanyan of Bangalore who was then a 'Planning Officer' in CSIR,
New Delhi. Subsequently, when the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research decided to establish such an Institute at Mysore, late Dr. S. S.
Bhatnagar induced Dr. Guha to serve in its Executive Council for many
sessions during its formative stages.
Although Guha took up his duties at the Food Department and later
at the Damodar Valley Corporation with enthusiasm and a sincere desire
to apply all his scientific knowledge to the problems posed by them, the
administrative delays involved in the routine work of Government and
the general apathy of policy makers to changes were situations with which
he could not compromise. It was, therefore, with considerable relief that
he returned to the University Professorship in 1953 after almost a ten
years' spell (interrupted by I year only) of administrative assignments.
He soon introduced the newer activities in microbiological assays and
other techniques like radioactive isotopes and got back into his primary
interest in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid. Due mainly to his untiring
efforts, the Calcutta University agreed to open a two-year Post-graduate
course in Biochemistry and a new Department of Biochemistry under
the Applied Chemistry Wing. Still later, a Centenary Professorship in
Biochemistry was created and myself and Dr. V. Subrahmanyan, the two
experts chosen for the Selection Committee of the University, induced
Dr. Guha to accept this assignment. His premature death created a void
which has not yet been filled.
The contributions made by Guha and his colleagues on asc
synthesis have been now recognised in all 'reviews' and
monographs on the subject. I t is known that all animal s
the primates and guinea pigs synthesize their requirements o
 Biresh Chandra Guha 141

acid and, therefore, do not become scorbutic. Primitive organisms like

bacteria do not require ascorbic acid at all for cellular oxidations. T h e
nature of the precursors of ascorbic acid and the metabolic pathway
leading to its biosynthesis have been under active investigation in many
laboratories all over the world ever since Szent-Gyorgyi isolated and
identified the vitamin from adrenals and cabbage leaves. T h e classical
work of Mapson, King and others have established that the chemical
pathway leading to the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid is according to the
general scheme :

D-Glucuronolactone ---+L-Gulonolactone 2-Keto-L-

---+

gulonolactone --+L-ascorbic acid

T h e enzymes, D-glucurono reductase and L-gulono oxidase mediating

two of the important steps in the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid, are present
in abundance in the microsomal fraction of rat liver. Work carried out
under Guha's supervision has shown that these enzymes could be
solubilized from microsomes by deoxycholate treatment. These enzymes
are specific for the lactone forms and are presumably flavoprotein in
nature. T h e level of these enzymes in rat liver are subject to wide fluctua-
tions depending on the nutritional status of the animal, the enzyme activity
falling significantly in conditions of other vitamin deficiencies particularly
that of riboflavin and in endocrine imbalances like thyrotoxicosis.
T h e significance of Guha's work on ascorbic acid biosynthesis lies in
its evolutionary implications. In the amphibians and reptiles, the key
enzyme systems mediating ascorbic acid synthesis are mainly localized
in the kidneys or embryologically related tissues. In most of the avian
species the kidneys continue to be the main site for these enzymes until
we reach the recent natural order 'Passeriformis' where the liver takes
over the function from the kidneys. In some species the synthetic function
continues to be shared between the kidneys and the liver. As evolution
proceeded in the spiral towards the primates, the ability of the liver to
mediate the key enzyme reactions was lost irreversibly, imposing on these
animals a condition of dependency on exogenous supply of the vitamin
for their survival. Guha's work laid thus the basis at the molecular level
for the biochemical mechanism involved in this dependence or independ-
ence from the growth factor in different species in the evolutionary scale.
This work demonstrates how a judicious use of precise methods of in-
vestigation to a fundamental problem of biosynthesis can lead to significant
results capable of a more comprehensive interpretation and general
application than thought of at the beginning. This work has also shovr-
the importance of biochemistry as the connecting link betwee
extremes of molecular genetics and species evolution in life sci
Guha also initiated fundamental studies on the comparative
of normal and malignant tissues and the biochemistry of nucl
 ial biophysical1instruments, he could not pursue
r biochemistry intensively*
Side by side with the above fundamental studies, Guha pursued his
interest in certain aspects of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry also.
Probably to justify his appointment as Professor of Applied Chemistry,
he worked for a while on problems of coal gasification and waste utilisa-
tion in the interest of national economy. Working under a CSIR Scheme,
Dr. Guha and his co-workers proved that all thesamples of blast furnace
slag obtained from Jamshedpur and Kulti-Burnpur area could be utilized
for cement by quenching with water. These results, however, were not
made use of by private steel mills or Public Sector enterprises for the
making of cements, though this commodity remained in short supply
ever since. In collaboration with the Food Technology Department at
Jadavpur, he set up a small pilot plant for carrying out parboiling of
rice as a unit operation under controlled conditions. The various condi-
tions worked out by him and his colleagues have been published in a
series of papers in the new Journal, 'Biotechnology and Bioengineering',
of which he was a Founder Editor. It is gratifying to note that the
improvements suggested by Guha and his colleagues as a result of these
investigations on the traditional methods of parboiling have been
accepted by the Government for large scale extension throughout the
country. At the Applied Chemistry Department he further initiated work
on new lines like the utilization of coal, coal gas, jute wastes, the large
scale retting of jute, fermentative production of citric and gluconic acids,
etc. He was also responsible for planning a comprehensive study on the
biochemistry of tea leaves from the green stage to its maturation, curing,
storage, blending, etc.
After the shocking experience of the famine of 1943, Guha became
actively interested in the problem of protein malnutrition. Realising the
acute shortage of animal proteins in the country, he not only advocated
the use of leaf proteins but also developed a number of semi-commercial
and economic processes for the preparation of edible proteins from grasses
and such unconventional sources as the water hyacinath. I n 1944, Calcutta
University lent the services of Guha to the Ministry of Food, Govt. of
India, where he took up the assignment of Chief Technical Adviser. In
this official capacity, he soon organized in the Food Department a
Technical Wing for inspection, analysis and standardization of foods and
gave plans for the development of food processing industries and for an
integrated programme of nutrition surveys for the whole country. While
working in the Food Ministry, Guha was deputed to serve the UNESCO
in Paris as India's representative and counsellor in Agricultural Sciences.
After returning to India, he joined his Calcutta University post £0
and in 1948, persuaded by the late Dr. Shyama Prasad Mooke
late Dr. B. C. Roy, joined the newly constituted Damoda
Corporation as a member from West Bengal. I n this new ass
 Biresh Chandra Guha '43
Guha within a short time displayed considerable skill in the administra-
tion and organization of this multi-purpose project of river valley
development.
~ h e i eheavy administrative responsibilities, however, did not prevent
him from associating with a number of scientific and research organizations
in the country. H e was actively associated with the administration of the
Indian Science Congress Association, Association of Scientific Workers
of India, Indian Council of Medical Research, Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research, National Institute of Sciences of India and in the
executive council of several National Laboratories.
Energetic as he was, in the midst of all these research preoccupations,
Guha found time to vigorously champion the cause of scientific develop-
ment, particularly Biochemistry in the country. His experience, gained
through frequent international contacts with the most progressive bio-
chemists of the Western World, and mature counsel were sought by many
organizations and Government Departments. His integrity and indepen-
dence of views expressed in a forthright manner commanded respect from
all quarters. Although as a champion of the cause of scientific workers in
general his place is assured in the annals of recent history, it is for his
signal service to the recognition of Biochemistry as an independent
discipline in the country that generations to come should feel indebted
to him. One of the most important assignments shared by Guha and
myself in the last few years was the membership of the Biochemistry
Review Committee appointed by the University Grants Commission. The
birth of this committee was due to Guha. The members of the Committee
visited all the University laboratories where Biochemical research was in
progress and made a comprehensive report on the subject to the University
Grants Commission. T h e upgrading of the Departments of Biochemistry
at Calcutta, Lucknow and Nagpur received his blessings and he could
make many of the Universities accept the concept of a separate chair for
Biochemistry. Previous to the advent of this Review Committee, facilities
for Post-graduate training in Biochemistry were available only at
Bangalore, Madras and Calcutta. Thanks to the untiring efforts of Guha
and his colleagues in the Review Committee, a nucleus for Biochemistry
courses at Post-graduate level has been established in about half a dozen
centres.
T o the last moment of his life, Guha was working for the realisation of
his dream of putting India on the biochemical map of the world. The
idea of holding a Summer School in Biochemistry was his and actually
during his last visit to Lucknow, he was busy finalising the programme
for the Summer School at Srinagar after discussion with my former
colleagues in Biochemistry Division of the Central Drug Research
Institute at Lucknow. H e was eagerly looking forward to th-
Biochemists at Srinagar but destiny had planned otherwise.
led the delegation of Indian Biochemists to the International
144 Biographical Memoirs
of Biochemistry held successively at Cambridge, Paris, Brussels, Vienna
and lastly, at Moscow. He was also a Sectional Chairman of the Inter-
national Symposium on Enzymes held at Tokyo in 1960. I n India the
success of the symposium on proteins held at Mysore in August 1960 was
in no mean measure due to his dynamic leadership.

5. Marriage, W i f e , Children, reminiscence of private life

Guha married rather late in life (41 years) in 1944. His talented wife,
Dr. Phul Renu Guha, a Ph.D. in Languages from a French University.
Dr. Guha had known this lady for quite some time but in the earlier years
he did not wish to get himself tied up in a settled life as his own political
aspirations made him a 'marked man' in the eyes of the British Adminis-
trators of those days. The marriage with Dr. Phul Renu Guha, now a
Member of the Indian Parliaments proved to be a turning point in his
life's work and career in more than one ways. But for the wise couilsel and
devoted guidance of his wife, Guha, with his indomitable spirit, aggressive
mentality and a burning desire for breaking the shackles and obtaining
freedom for his country, would have landed himself behind the prison
bars and would be lost for ever to the world of Science. Almost all his
colleagues, co-workers, and friends were of the same opinion with the
writer that the genial influence of his wife channelised his creative energies
into a fruitful academic and laboratory life and into various social and
cultural activities in which both of them joined almost with equal zeal
and devotion. It was evidently a case of a married couple who shared
amongst themselves quite a few common interests in social welfare work,
music, culture, poetry and painting. The marriage however did not
produce any child, though Biresh was very deeply devoted to young
children and would have perhaps been happier if they had a issue of
their own.
Guha's interests were broad and ranged far beyond the sciences. He
was deeply read in 'Sanskrit', 'Bengali' and 'English' literature and could
recite freely passages from Kalidasa, Tagore or Shakespeare. Guha's
unusual combination of gifts included an ability to deliver a good lecture
and write in a clear and attractive style. Vivid phrases recurred and gave
his articles and editorials a freshness, not often found in scientific
literature. Guha cultivated the art of public speaking and had given often
outstanding exhibition of his 'gift of the gab'. As a public speaker he was
frequently in demand and usually gave his services unstintingly. Latterly,
he developed the knack, when an involved discussion appeared to be
thoroughly bogged down, of being able to sum u p the arguments in the
problem with detachment and clarity, so that rational decision
possible once more. As a Chairman of certain Committees, he wa
If one has to recall certain reminiscence of Guha's private
thing would stand out pre-eminently and that is, his vigorous,
 Biresh Chandra Guha 145
aggressive and often dominating personality. He was far from being a
timid, quiet, passive and a non-interfering individual like many of his
other colleagues at the University. He had the quality of a torrential
stream gushing through gorges and not a placid, smooth current of water
with gentle ripples on its surface. A 'stormy petrel' of science, Guha was
more in tune in a committee fight or a group debate than in a sedate and
peaceful atmosphere. He believed in the dictum of the great Japanese
Philosopher and Nation-builder, Yoshida Torajiro and often used to say
"It is better to be a crystal and be broken, rather than remain for ever
as a tile on a house top". A man of great personal charm and of many-
sided talents, Guha will long be remembered by his friends, colleagues
and students with deep affection and respect. He was not only a very
capable and respected scientist but also a man of high moral standing and
humanistic outlook. In the shifting sands of time, men will come and men
will go. Some can leave behind a bold mark of leadership which remains
indelible for quite sometime. Guha undoubtedly succeeded in leaving
such a memory trace in the fluorescent screen of many contemporary
minds.
May his soul rest in peace.

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Res., 24, 839.
1937. (With J. C. PAL)The protein and mineral values of some cooked Bengali di
Gae., 72, 24.
1937. (With B. N. GHOSH)Ascorbic acid oxidase from the white gourd (Benirtcasa cr
chcm. Soc., 14, 721.
1937. (With P. N. SENGUPTA)Estimation of total vitamin .C in food-stuffs. J. Indian chem. SOL,
14. 95.
1937. (with B. GHOSH)The effect of vitamin C and other reducing substances on certain toxins.
Sci. €3 Cult., 3, 243.
1937. (With G. C. DASGUPTA) Effect of vitamin C and glutathione on the growth of certain
micro-organisms. Sci €3 Cult., 2, 588.
1938. (With P. N. SENGUPTA)Ascorbigen in plant and animal tissue. Nalure, Lond., 41, 974.
1938. (With P. N. SENGUPTA)Points from foregoing letters. Nature, Lond., 141, 978.
1938. (With B. N. GHOSH) Vitamin C and toxins. Part I. The effect of vitamin C and other reducing
substances on diphtheria and tetanus toxins. J. Indian chem. Soc., 15, 438.
1938. (With B. N. GHOSH)Vitamin C and toxins. Part 11. The effect of the administration of
vitamin C to guineapigs injected with diphtheria and tetanus toxins. J. Indian chem. Soc.,
15,443.
1938. (With G. C. DASGUPTA& K. C. SAAA)The fermentative production of citric and oxalic
acids from "Gur" and molasscs. Sci. €3 Cult., 3, 397.
1938. (With L. K. ROY& S. S. DE) Studies on Indian coals. Part I. Proximatc composition and
low temperaturc carbonisation. 3. Indian chem. Soc. ind. Edn, 1, 48.
1938. (With K. L. ROY& D. LAHIRI)Studies on Indian coals. Part 11. Decomposition temperature,
swelling effect, specific gravity, blcnding of coals, effect of heat on pyridinc cxtract of coal
and the proximate composition. J. Indian chem. SOC.ind. Edn, 1, 95.
1939. (With K. L. ROY& D. LANIKI) Studies of Indian coals. Part IV. 3. Indian chem. Soc. ind. Edn,
2. 145.
-> ----
1939. (With K. C. SAHA& K. L. ROY)Calcium and phosphorus content of students' dietaries.
Indian med. G a r . , 74, 324.
1939. (With P. N. SENGUPTA)Combined ascorbic acid in plant food-stuffs. Part I. 3. Indian chem.
Soc., 16, 48 1.
1939. (with-P. N. SENGUPTA)Combined ascorbic acid in plant food-stuffs. Part 11. 3. Indian
chern. Soc., 16,449.
1939. (With P. N. SENGUPTA)The estimation of vitamin C in food-stuffs.3. Indian chenl. Soc., 16,
549.
1939. (With J. C. PAL)Combincd ascorbic acid in plant food-stuffs. Part I. J. Indian chem. Soc.,
16,481.
1939. (With K. L. ROY& D. LAHIRI)Studies on Indian coals. Part 111. Proximate composition,
decomposition temperature, swelling effect, low temperature carbonisation, porosity of
semi-cake, electrical conductivity of semi-cake, analysis of low and high temperature coal
tars and the determination of flash points and viscosity of different fractions of tar oils.
3. Indian chem. Soc. ind. Edn, 2, 28.
1939. (With S. N. BANERJEE) The intradcrmal test as an index of vitamin C nutrition. Indian med.
G a r . , 74, 335.
1939. (With K. C. SAHA)Nutritional investigations on Bengali fish. Indian 3. med. Res., 26,921.
1939. (With B. N. GHOSH) Concentration of ascorbigen from cabbage. 3. Indian chem. Soc., 16,505.
1940. (With S. N. BANERTEE) The intradermal test as an index of vitamin C nutrition. Part 11.
' Indian m e d . - ~ a z .35,'
, 468.
1940. (With S. N. BANERIEE & P. B. SEN)Urinary excretion of combined ascorbic acid in pul-
monary tubercul~sis.Nature, Lond., 145, 706.
1940. (With K. C. SAHA)Nutritional investigations on Bengal fish. Indian 3. med. Res., 27, 873.
1940. (With K. C. SAHA)Available iron in fish. Indian 3. med. Res., 27, 877.
1940. (With G. C . DASGUPTA& K. C . SAHA)Thc fermentative production of citric and oxalic
acids from molasses. 3. Indian chem. Soc. Ind. Edn, 3, 64.
1941. (With A. B. SENGUPTA & B. B. SARKAR) A comparative study of the chemical and biological
methods of estimation of vitamin C of cabbage juicc. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 1, 187.
1941. (With S. N. BANERJEE & P. B. SEN)Urinary excretion of combincd ascorbic acid in pul-
monary tuberculosis. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., l , l .
1941. (With S. N. BANERJEE) The role of vitamin C in infection: Effect of administration
of ascorbic acid on the urinary cxcretion of combined ascorbic acid by normal and tuber-
cular subjects and by guineapigs. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 1,239.
1941. (With G. C. DASGUPTA)The effect of vitamin C and ccrtain other substances on the growth
of micro-organisms. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 1, 14.
1941. (With K. C. SAHA & A. C. MAZUMDAR) Relationship between blood ascorbic acid,
ascorbigcn and haemoglobin at different stages of scurvy in expreimental guineapigs. - - Ann.
~iochemyexp. Med., 1,- 139.
(With K. C. SAHA& A. C. MAJUMDAR) Distribution of frec and bound ascor
haemoglobin in blood of normal vertebrates. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 1, 135.
(With B. B. DAS)Plastic from jute waste. Sci. €3 Cult., 8, 389.
Universities and post-war research organisation. Proc. natn. Inst. Sci. India, 10,
(With P. K. BHATTACHARYA) Anti-bacterial substances from moulds. Sci. €9 Cu
148 Biographical Memoirs
1944. (With S. ROY & A. BOSE)Photobio~~nthesis of ascorbic acid by seeds. Sci. 63'
c~a., 9, 564.
1946. (Wi.th S: C. ROY & S. K. ROY)Role of thiamine and riboflavin on the biosynthesis of ;;"
vitamins C. Nature, Lond., 198, 238.
1951, (with S. C. ROY& S. K. ROY)Studies on certain aspects of the biosynthesis of
acid. Ann. Bwchem. exp. Med., 11, 73.
1953. (With P. R. PAL)Green leaves as sources of protein. Sci. @ Cult., 18,597.
1953. (With A. P. GUPTA)Studies on the production of thermosetting resins and
positions from jute waste by digestion with acidic substances. Part I.
in the nature of hydrolysing and condensing agents and concentrations of the reagents
used. 3. Indian chem. Soc. Ind. Edn, 16, 1.
1953. (With A. P. GUPTA)Sfudies on the production of thermosetting resins and moulding.com-
positions fromjute waste by digestion with acidic substances. Part 11. Effect of variation ln
time of reaction, pressure and size of jute waste. J. Indian chem. SOC.ind. Edn, 16, 7.
1954. (With N. C. GANGULI & S. C. ROY)Biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid. Nature, Lond., 174, 51 1.
1955. (With S. N. BANERJEE) Thiamine values of ~ure-bredstrains of rice. Ann. Bzochem. exp. Med.,
1.5-
--2
lo?.
----
1955. Some aspects of the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid. Soc. B b l . Chem. India, Souvenir, pp. 67-70.
1955. (With G. C. CHATTERJEE & S. C. ROY)Studies on the biosynthesis of L-ascorblc acld by the
rat: Effect of pantothenic acid deficiency on the synthesis stimulated by chloretone. Ann.
Biochem. exp. Med., 15, 191.
1955. (With G. C. CHATTERJEE & S. C. ROY)Effect of the single deficiency of riboflavin, thiamine
and folic acid on the concetration of different
Ann. Biochem. exp. Med, 15, 195.
- . - . vhos~hate-esters
* in the liver tissue of rats.
1956. (With K. C. SAHA,A. DEB& D. P. SEN)Dehydration of fish available in Bengal. - -7.
- Indian
chem. SOC.,19, 1i7.
1956. (With N. C. GANGULY & S. C. ROY)Studies on the bios~nthesisof L-ascorbic acid by the
rat, Part I. Effect of adenosine triphosphate and other compounds on the synthesisstimulat-
ed by chloretone. Arch. Bwchem. Biophys., 61, 211.
1957. (With P. R. PAL & B. N. BANERJEE) The utilization of some p-aminobenzyl peptides by
Streptococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus arabinosus. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 17, 151.
1957. (With N. C. GANGULI & S. C . ROY)Observations on the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid by
the rat with special reference to pyruvic acid as a possible precursor. Biochimia, 22,84.
1957. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH& J. J. GHOSH)Effect of cyanide on biosynthesis of
ascorbic acid in vitro. Science, 126, 608.
1957. (I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH& J. J. GHOSH)The enzyme system involved in
the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid by animal tissues in uitro. Proc. Int. Symp. Enzyme Chem.,
Tokyo B Kyoto, pp. 471-475.
1957. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH, J. J. GHOSH& R. N. ROY)Enzymatic synthesis of
ascorbic acid i n animal tissues. Sci CY Cult., 23, 50.
1957. (With M. L. DAS)Isolation of bound form of nicotinic acid. Nature, Lond., 180, 1285.
1957. (With M. L. Das) Isolation of niacinogen from wheat bran. Sci. CY Cult., 23, 156.
1957. (With D. N. DAS)Nutritional aspects of tea, Part I. Tea Board, India, Scknt. Publs, Series
No. 1.
1958. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, J. J. GHOSH& N. C. GHOSH)Effect of cyanide on the biosynthesis
of ascorbic acid on enzyme preparation from goat liver microsomes. Biochem. J., 70, 509.
1958. (With R. N. ROY)Species difference in regard to the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid. Nature,
Lond., 182, 319.
1958. (With M. L. DAS)Amino Acid make-up of niacinogen. Sci @ Cult., 23, 498.
1958. (With R. DATTA& J. GHOSH)Electrophoretic behaviour of avian haemoglobin. Nature,
Lond., 181, 1204.
1958. (With S. GHOSH& D. ROY)Arylaminopyrimidines as growth-inhibitors of Streptococcusfaeculis
and Lactobacillus arabinosus. Nature, Lond., 182, 187.
1958. (With M. C. MALAKAR) On the isolation of bound ascorbic acid (ascorbigen). Sci. €3Cult.,
24. 147.
1958. (with A. K. HAZRA & S. K. BOSE)A rapid method of survey of cellulolytic power of fungi.
Sci. G' Cult., 24, 39.
1958. (With S. P. BAGCHI)Glutamate labelling pattern obtained from acetate-1-C14 and sodium
bicarbonate-C14 by incubation with rat liver slices. Naturwissenschaften, 21, 52.
1958. (With S. GHOSH& D. ROY)Effect of some folic acid analogues on the growth of Streptococcus
faecalis, Lactobacillus arabinosus and Escherichia Coli. Ann. Biochem. exp. Med., 18, 161.
1958. The biosynthesis of ascorbic acid by animal tissue in vitro. Trans. Bose Res.
22, 145.
1958. (With R. N. ROY) Production of experimental scurvy in a bird species. Natur
1689.
1958. (With S. GHOSH& D. ROY)Effect of some derivatives of 2-amino-4-oxy-6-pt
aldehyde on the growth of S.faecalis and L . arabinosus. Naturwissenschaften~
 Biresh Chandra Guha
1958. (With D. ROY& S. GHOSH)Inhibitory effects of some 2-arylguaindino-4-amino-6-oxy
pyrimidines on the growth of S. faecalis, L. arabinosus and E. coli. Naturwissenschaften, 16,
392.
1958. ( G ~ J B.. CHATTERJEE, G. C. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH& J. J. GHOSH)Factors involved
in the synthesis of ascorbic acid by rat liver microsomes. Sci. d Cult., 24,294.
1958. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, J. J. GHOSH& N. C. GHOSH)Site of enzyme system involved in
the biosynthesis of ascorbic acid. Sci. €8 Cult., 23,382.
1959. (With SHAKUNTALA BOSE)Ascorbigen in plant materials. Sci. & Cult., 25, 387.
1959. (With N. C. GANGULY & S. P. BAGCHI) Metabolism of acetate-1-C14 and pyruvate-2-Cl* by
by rat liver tissues. Proc. Symp. Radioisotopes, Bull. natn. Inst. Sci. India, No. 13, March 1959.
1959. (With D. ROY & S. GHOSH)Synthesis of 2-amino-4-(p-chloro-ani1ino)-pteridines and the
mode of their inhibitory action on the growth of micro-organisms. J. Indian chem. Soc., 36,
6.51.
1959. ( ~ i t k 1B.
. CHATTERJEE, G. C. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH & J. J. GHOSH)On the solubilisa-
tion of the microsomal enzyme catalysing the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid. Sci. @ Cult.,
24. 534.
1959. (with I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. KAR& N. C. GHOSH) On the electron transfer system involv-
ed in the oxidation of L-gulonolactone to L-ascorbic acid. Sci. &3 Cult., 25, 388.
1959. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, G. C. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH & J . J. GHOSH) The role of soluble
supernatant in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid by rat liver microsomes. Sci. €3 Cult., 24,340.
1959. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, G. C. CHATTERJEE, N. C. GHOSH & J. J. GHOSH) Identification of
2-keto-L-gulonolactone as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid.
Naturwissenschaften, 46, 475.
1959. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, J. J. GHOSH& N. C. GHOSH)The enzyme reaction pattern in
the oxidation of L-gulonolactone to L-ascorbic acid. Naturwissenschaften, 46, 580.
1959. (With D. N. DAS)Nutritional aspects of tea. Tea Board, India, Scient. Publs. Series No. 4.
1960. (With I. B. CHATTERTEE, G. C. CHATTERTEE. N. C. GHOSH& T. T. GHOSH) Bioloaical
' synthesis of L-asc&bib acid in animal tissues: Conversion Gf ~-gulonol~ctone "into
L-ascorbic acid. Biochem. J., 74, 193.
1960. (With I. B. CHATTERTEE, G. C. CHATTERTEE. N. C. GHOSH& T. T. GHOSH)Biolodcal
synthesis of L-ascorbic .acid in animal tilsuei: Conversion of D-~l$uronolac~onean2 L-
gulonolactone into L-ascorbic acid. Biochem. J., 76, 279.
1960. The biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid in animals. Proc. natn. Inst. Sci. India., 26, 68.
1960. (With A. C. MAZUMDAR, A. N. BOSE& N. C. GANGULY) Pilot plant studies on parboiling of
rice-I. Soaking and gelatinisation. J. biochem. microbiol. Technol. Engng., 2, 431.
1960. (With A. C. MAZUMDAR, A. N. BOSE& N. C. GANGULY). Pilot plant studies on parboiling of
rice-11. Dehydration. J. biochem. rnicrobiol. Technol. Engng, 2, 439.
1960. (With A. C. MAZUMDAR, A. N. BOSE& N. C. GANGULY) Pilot plant studies on parboiling of
rice-111. Effect of hot soaking and mechanical drying on the nutritive values of parboiled
rice. J. biochem. rnicrobiol. Technol. Engng, 2, 447.
1960. (With M. L. DAS)On 'Niacinogen'. Sci. €3 Cult., 25,549.
1960. (With M. L. DAS)Isolation and chemical characteristion of bound niacin (niacinogen) in
cereal grains. J. biol. Chem., 235, 2971.
1960. (With D. ROY & S. GHOSH)Synthesis of some arylamino- and arylguanidopyrimidines.
. - -.
J . org. Chem., 25. 1909.
1960. (With
\.-- --
I. B. CHATTERTEE. N. C. KAR & N. C. GHOSH)On a livid cofactor involved in the
conversion-of L-guionolactone into L-ascorbic acid.' Arch. ~ & h e m . Biophys., 86, 154.
1961. (With M. GANCULY & D. SEN) Synthesis of some 4-substituted-amino-2-methyl-thio-
~vrimidines.Naturwissenschaften. 22. 685.
1961. (W'i'tbP.~. C ~ K R A B O R T Y ) Leaiprdtein technology. Proc. Symp. on 'Proteins', August, 1960.
C.F.T.R.I., Mysore, 1961.
1961. (With M. C. MALAKAR) On the existence of bound ascorbic acid in blood. Naturwissenschaften,
20, 645.
1961. Studies on ascorbigen. J.Indian chem. Soc., 38,492.
1961. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. KAR& N. C. GHOSH) Aspects of ascorbic acid biosynthesis
in animals. Ann. N. Y.Acad. Sci., 42, 36.
1961. (With M. C. MALAKAR) Isolation of bound ascorbic acid (ascorbigen) from cabbage. 3.
Indian chem. SOC.,38, 939.
1961. (With D. ROY & S. GHOSH)Effect of some arylguanidino- and arylamino-pyrimidines on
the growth of certain micro-organisms. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 92, 366.
1961. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. KAR& N. C. GHOSH) Biosynthesis of L-ascorbic acid: Missing
steps in animals incapable of synthesising the vitamin. Nature, Lond., 192, 193.
1961. (With I. B. CHATTERJEE, N. C. KAR& N. C. GHOSH)On lipids and other
the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid by animal tissues in uitro. Sci. €3 Cult., 27,
1962. (With N. C. KAR,. I. B. CHATTERJEE & N. C. GHOSH)Further obse
intracellular locat~onand mechanism of action of liver enzymes catalysi
of L-ascorbic acid. Biochem. J., 84, 16.
 ? $
1.50 BiogrnpZzical Memoirs
1962. (With P. K. SARKAR& H, P. GHOSH)Purification and some physicochemical properties
of bound niacin (niacinogen). Ann. Biochm. exp. Med., 22, 205.
1962. (With P. K. SARKAR & H. P. GHOSH)Purification of 'Niacinogen' from rice bran by charcoal
adsorption method. Sci. d Cult., 28,344.
1962. (With D. N. DAS& J. J. GHOSH)Nutritional and pharmacological aspects of tea. Tea Board,
India, Scient Publs, (1963), Vol. 11.
1962. (With SUMITRA GHOSH)Effect of tyrosine and some of its metabolites on the biosynthesis of
ascorbic acid by rat liver tissues. Biochirn. biophys. Acta, 71, 213.
1963. (With H. P. GHOSH& P. K. SARKAR) Niacinogen-hydrolysing enzyme in extracts from rice
seedlings. Nature, Lond., 198, 484.
1963. (With B. R. MITRA)Studies on the consistency of thiamine and protein contents of pure-bred
strains of rice. Ann. Biochern. exp. Med., 23, 69.
1963. (With H. P. GHOSH& P. K. SARKAR)Distribution of the bound form of nicotinic
acid in natural materials. 3. Nutr., 79, 451.
1963. (With SUMITRA GHOSH)Biosynthesis of ascorbic acid by rats fed a high level of dietary
tyrosine under toxic and adapted condition. Biochirn. biophys. Acta, 69, 440.
1963. (With N. C. KAR, N. C. GHOSH& P. K. SARKAR)Microsomal L-gulonolactone dehydro-
genase. Nature, Lond., 197, 494.