CLAM POISON:I. THE PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHIC PURIFICATION OF CLAM POISON DIHYDROCHLORIDE

Abstract

A semimicro (10–25 mg) paper chromatographic method for purification of clam poison has been developed. This procedure when applied to a partially purified (toxicity 4150 MU/mg) sample of the toxin gave a 74% recovery of clam poison dihydrochloride of purity identical with that of the best material obtained by Schantz etal. (2) via the alumina chromatographic method. The upper limit of purity of toxin resulting from paper chromatography is estimated to be 98% because of traces of impurity introduced by the paper. The paper chromatographic procedure has been found capable of enriching low-grade toxic residues (35%) from the alumina process to a purity of 75% with an over-all recovery of 70%.