Toxicity of Ant Venom, Further Studies of the Venom from Pogonomyrmex barbatus.

Abstract

Summary As previously suggested from earlier and cruder extraction procedures (2) and as now verified, the actual venom material is far more toxic than the earlier homogenized agent. The present work indicates that 1.29 mg/kg of the relatively pure material is equivalent to 24 mg/kg of the abdominal homogenate utilized previously(2). The pure extract is capable of induction of all toxic phenomena previously described, is a protein or polypeptide, and once oven dried is not as toxic when reconstituted. The UV spectrum indicates a material with an absorption peak of about 270 mμ. The powdered crystalline material resulting from lyophilization of venom extracts is highly water soluble and may be considered as one of the more toxic of naturally occurring substances. Studies are continuing.