ISSN:
1574-695X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract A method to detect peptidoglycan and (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan with silkworm larvae plasma (SLP) derived from the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori was developed. SLP contains all of the factors of the pro-phenol oxidase cascade, an important self-defense mechanism of insects. Peptidoglycan or (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan initiates the cascade, in which pro-phenol oxidase is finally activated to phenol oxidase. The phenol oxidase activity was colorimetrically or visually detected with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine as a substrate. SLP displayed high reactivity with peptidoglycan and polysaccharides containing 1,3-β-glucosidic linkages, but not with endotoxins. SLP is useful for the detection of microbial contamination because peptidoglycan and (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan are cell wall components of bacteria and fungi, respectively.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-695X.1996.tb00063.x
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