Studies on the metabolism of the protozoa. 6. The glycogens of the parasitic flagellates Trichomonas foetus and Trichomonas gallinae

Abstract

Glucose-containing polysaccharides were isolated from the parasitic flagellates Trichomonas foetus and T. gallinae. The purified polysaccharides resemble, but are not identical with, animal glycogens; they have [alpha] ^ 197-199[degree], stain yellow-brown with dilute iodine, are degraded by salivary alpha-amylase and have molecular weights of about 3 x 106. The "glycogens" from T. foetus and T. gallinae have unit-chain lengths of 15 and 9 glucose residues respectively, and beta-amylolysis limits of 60 and 51%. The relationship between these "glycogens" and other polysaccharides, including those from other protozoa, are discussed.