Biochemical observations on certain insectivorous plants |
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Authors: | Joseph Samuel Hepburn |
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Affiliation: | Constantine Hering Laboratory, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., USA |
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Abstract: | The liquor from pitchers of Nepenthes, which were entirely free from insect captures, contained a protease which exerted its activity in a slightly acid medium. Catalase, urease, esterase, diastase, invertase, maltase, lactase, and emulsin were not present in the pitcher liquor.A substance, which reduced Benedict alkaline copper solution, was frequently, but not invariably, present in the pitcher liquor; it was probably sugar derived from the nectar.The pitcher liquor contained chlorides, and did not contain phosphates and saponins.A composite sample of the secretion of the leaves of Dionæa muscipula was examined, and was found to contain a protease which was active in the presence of 0.2 per cent. hydrochloric acid.The leaves of Dionæa miiscipula have been analyzed; and their composition is reported.The author is indebted to Dr. Walter Steckbeck for the photograph of Dioncæa muscipula and to Dr. John M. Macfarlane for those of Nepenthes. |
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