STUDY OF TOXIN FROM POISON HAIRS OF THAUMETOPOEA WILKINSONI CATERPILLARS

[摘要] The results of the first portion of a systematic investigation of the poison hairs from Thaumetopoea. wilkinsoni caterpillars are as follows The toxic reaction (caterpillar dermatitis) which the poison produces on the human skin is modified by the degree of pigmentation of the skin. This toxic reaction is caused by the toxin contained in the poison hairs, and is not a consequence of asiirple mechanical irritation. The toxin does not produce hemolysis in vitro. Eight new solvents of toxic matter from the poison hairs were found. The toxin is thermolabile and contains one or more active (toxic) proteins. The presence of proteins could be ascertained by spectral analysis as well as by paper electrophoresis and chemical analysis. Organic analysis, paper chromatography, thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and paper electrophoresis revealed the presence in the extracted toxic substances of a high proportion of phospholipids, as well as polysaccharides, phosphoric esters, aliphatic and aromatic amines, lipids, aliphatic acids and sulfhydryl groups. These sulfhydryl groups and the elements K, Na, Cl and Ca were quantitated in the extracted toxin.