STUDIES ON DETERIORATION OF ANTIGEN-E IN EXTRACTS OF AMBROSIA-ELATIOR

[摘要] Five per cent (wt/vol) extracts of defatted A. elatior pollen were prepared in bicarbonate-buffered saline (Coca''s extract) and Coca''s extract with 50% glycerol (Gly-Coca''s extract). Sterile extracts were stored in untreated glassware and glassware coated with silicone. Stock extracts were diluted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and stored at 5 .+-. 3.degree. C. Extracts 1:20, 1:40, and 1:400 were assayed at approximately 6-wk intervals for antigen E [usually used for hyposensitization therapy]. Quantitative determinations were made by modified double diffusion in agarose gels using known standards of antigen E for comparison. Results from the 1st yr of this 3-yr study show no significant reduction in 1:20 Gly-Coca''s extracts and a highly significant reduction of antigen E in 1:20 Coca''s extracts. Further analysis of variance indicates significant reduction in all 1:40 and 1:400 extracts. Differences in the initial extracting solvents did not significantly affect these more dilute extracts. No significant differences were observed in the untreated and silicone-coated glassware. In terms of per cent antigen E reduction, 1:20 Gly-Coca''s showed negligible reduction, and Coca''s at 1:20 declined nearly 50% in antigen E content. Extracts stored at 1:40 retained only 40% of the original antigen E content, while diluted extracts stored at 1:400 retained only 35% of the initial antigen E after 1 yr of storage at 5 .+-. 3.degree. C.