Detoxification of Snake Venoms and Venom Fractions by Formaldehyde.

Abstract

SummaryThe effect of formaldehyde on the toxicity of Vipera palestinae and Echis colorata and their chromatographic fractions was investigated. The detoxification was found to be pH dependent. Vipera palestinae hemorrhagin was detoxified over a wide pH range, from 5.5 to 9.2, but its antigenicity was preserved at acidic pH only. The neurotoxin of Vipera palestinae was detoxified by formaldehyde at alkaline pH only. The detoxified neurotoxin was devoid of immunogenic activity. Treatment of Echis colorata venom with formaldehyde over a wide pH range did not result in complete detoxification although its separated hemorrhagins were detoxified.