Pyrophorus

Selbst-zunder, m. pyrophorus self-igniter, automatic lighter, -zundung, /. spontaneous ignition. 

The elaterid Pyrophorus is of special importance in the history of bioluminescence, because it was used by Dubois in his first demonstration of the luciferin-luciferase reaction in 1885. The Jamaican click beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus) is commonly found in the West Indies. The beetle possesses two kinds of luminous organs. A... 

Elateridae Pyrophorus, Nyxophyxis, No xlumenes, Cryptolampros, Sooporanga, etc. 

The oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans, containing the luciferase gene of Pyrophorus plagiophtalatus, was used as rapid assay to estimate the effects of various antimicrobial treatments [93],... 

Col mono cl crysts, sol in w. Its anhydrous salt, KAl(S04)a, mw 258.19, d 2.75 at 20°, when heated with carbon produces "Homberg s Pyrophorus, a flammable compd contg K sulfide(Ref 3). It has also been used in expls, such as Clark s Powder(qv)... 

Page 186. Lead pyrophorus is made by heating dry tartrate of lead in a glass tube (closed at one end, and drawn out to a fine point at the other) until no more vapours are evolved. The open end of the tube is then to be sealed before the blowpipe. When the tube is broken and the contents shaken out into the air, they burn with a red flash. 

The biosynthesis of luciferin (23) in the luminescent click beetle, Pyrophorus pellucens, is proposed to occur via the reaction of quinone with cysteine to give an intermediate benzothiazine, which on further reaction with cysteine gives the benzothiazole. But preliminary studies with 14C-labeled cysteine indicated, however, that an alternative fate for the first-formed thiazine, involving oxidation and ring contraction, may have to be considered.44... 

Pyrophorus. This U a term given to Hubstances which inflame spemtane-ously when exposed to the air. When a small quantity of any of the powders given below is exposed to the air, it rapidly becomes hot and inflames. Their action is quicker in a damp atmosphere, or by the moisture of the breath. 

Homberg s Pyrophorus, Stir equal parts of iiltun and brown sugar (or 3 parts alum and I part wheat flour) in an iron ladle over tUo fire until dry then put it into an earthen or coated glass phial, and keep it at a red heat so long as flame is emitted it must then be carefully stopped up and cooled. 

Hare s Pyrophorus. Lampblack, 3 parts burnt alum, 4 ports carbonate of potash, 8 parts as above. 

Goebel s Pyrophorus. Heat tartrate of lead red bot in a glass tube, and then hermetically seal it. 

Pyrophoric— %n x n% spontaneously on exposure to air sometimes used of alloys such as lighter flints " that on abrasion yield a profusion of sparks. A noun, the pyrophorus, is now obsolete. 

---