An Investigation of Certain Components of the Venom of the Female Sydney Funnel Web Spider, Atrax Robustus Cambr.

Abstract

Venom of the female fUnnel web spider, A. robustus, was heated and diaIysed. From the diffusate was isolated a toxic component which was ninhydrin.positive and had a peak of maximum absorption at 278 rnp.. This material was electrophoreticaUy and chromatographically homogeneous. The lethal dose for mice was of the same order as crude venom or diffusate, but it produced markedly different toxic symptoms. Acid hydrolysis released spermine as the only ninydrin.reactive substance, and a number ofultraviolet-absorhing components. Free y.aminobutyric acid was identified as a major ninhydrin-reactive component of this venom.