Studies on the use of sulphonated cation-exchange resins for the hydrolysis of ovomucoid

Abstract

Sulfonated cation-exchange resins from different manufacturers and having different degrees of cross-linkage were studied and found effective for hydrolyzing mucoproteins. This action did not depend on traces of H2SO4 released by resin breakdown under the conditions of hydrolysis. Resin breakdown increased with both degree of cross-linkage and duration of hydrolysis, limiting the usefulness of the method, and making neutralization of the hydrolysate before working up essential. The method was applied to the hydrolysis of ovomucoid. Mannose, galactose and glucosamine (partly acetylated) were obtained in yields which compared favorably with usual acid-hydrolysis methods. Reports of galactosamine in ovomucoid could not be confirmed by a sensitive method.