General Description

Sodium deoxycholate is a bile salt and an ionic detergent. Bile salts work along with lipids/fats/cholesterol and form mixed micelles in the intestine. These micelles help in fat digestion and absorption through the intestinal wall.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Solubilizes fats for absorption in the intestines.

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NasO.

Purification Methods

Recrystallise it from EtOH and dry it in an oven at 100o. The solution is freed from soluble components by repeated extraction with acid-washed charcoal. [Beilstein 10 IV 1608.]