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A comparative study of the protein content of some helminths and the suitability of assay methods

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

S. M. A. Abidi  and
W. A. Nizami
S. M. A. Abidi
Affiliation:
Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh–202 002, India
W. A. Nizami*
Affiliation:
Section of Parasitology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh–202 002, India
*
*To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
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Abstract

The protein content of fresh homogenates and their corresponding TCA precipitated fractions of 10 different species of helminths was estimated by the methods of Lowry et al. and Spector using the Folin phenol reagent and Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 respectively. The former method gives exaggerated values as compared to the latter method. The parasite phenols, phenolic proteins and catecholamines could be responsible for interference in the Lowry's procedure. The TCA non-precipitable moieties also give colour only with the Folin phenol assay. The pronounced intra-specific differences in the total protein content of helminths reflect their metabolic variations and adaptations. Habitat does not appear to influence the protein content of parasites, however, the effect of host variation was evident in the pouched amphistome G. crumenifer. It is concluded that the dye binding method gives more consistent results and it can be conveniently applied to crude tissue homogenates of helminths.

Keywords

protein contentbiochemistryGigantocotyle explanatumFasciola giganticaGastrothylax crumeniferFischoederius elongatusOrthocoelium scoliocoeliumCalicophoronParamphistomum epiclitumStilesia globipunctataAvitellina lahorea
Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 65 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 62 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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References

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