Studies on Tuberculin Active Peptide. I

Abstract

A highly potent basic peptide was isolated in pure form from the bodies of tubercle bacillus. Crystallization was done from methanol solution of the purified peptide. Crystals of flavianate and picrolonate of the peptide were also obtained. Chemical and biological properties of the purified peptide are described. The tuberculin skin potency tests on humans indicated that the purified peptide was potent comparable to purified protein isolated from bacillary bodies or culture filtrate of bacilli.