The Effect of Formaldehyde on the Activity of Anthrax
Abstract
The authors studied the effect of 1.5 and 20% formaldehyde solutions at pH 9.1 on the biological activity of the anthrax allergen. The activity of all the modified preparations decreased equally (by approximately 50%) and was independent of the concentration of formaldehyde. Reduction of tyrosin and tryptophane content occurred in analogous way (by 30 and 70%, respectively); at the same time the amount of free amino groups diminished with elevation of formaldehyde concentration. Heating of formalinized preparations at 100C for 30 minutes led to complete restoration of specific activity in all the preparation, along with complete restoration of the content of phenol groups. The concentration of amino groups and tryptophane in these preparations averaged 50 to 60% of their concentration in the crude allergen. The results obtained led to a conclusion that the activity of anthrax allergen was associated with the content of phenol groups, whereas amino and indol groups were apparently of no significance for biological activity of the preparation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 18, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0787398
Entities
People
- G. A. Maksimova
- V. F. Runova