Studies on diffusing factors

Abstract

The influence of reducing agents on the viscosity and characteristic precipitability of various polysaccharides has been examined using an apparatus for viscosimetry with a controlled gas-phase. The viscosity of all the polysac-charides examined but not of gelatin is gradually decreased on exposure to reducing agents such as ascorbic acid. O2 is essential to the action between these polysaccharides and the reducing agents used and their interaction is accelerated by the presence of cupric ions. Evidence is provided that the action of Cu may be due to its reduction to the cuprous state. Hydrogen in the presence of catalytically active Pd + O2 will lower the viscosity of K, hyaluronate and starch. The oxidation rate of ascorbic acid is not altered by the presence of K hyaluronate although the latter is degraded if ascorbic acid is allowed to oxidize in the presence. The oxidation products of a number of reducing agents showed no action on K hyaluronate. The bearing of these results on the general action of reducing agents on polysaccharides is discussed.