A STUDY ON THE LIBERATION OF SUGARS, HEXURONIC ACID, AND HEXOSAMINE FROM BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL

Abstract

Sulphonated polystyrene resin suspended in dilute hydrochloric acid and 4 N hydrochloric acid were compared with respect to (a) efficiency as catalysts of hydrolytic cleavage of mucopolysaccharides and (b) rates of destruction of sugars, glucuronic acid, and glucosamine. Mannose, galactose, and glucose were not subject to serious destruction when heated with the resin suspension over a period that was sufficient to effect hydrolysis of mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins. All these sugars were subject to serious destruction when heated with 4 N hydrochloric acid for a period sufficient to effect hydrolysis of mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins. Under similar conditions, pentoses were destroyed more rapidly than hexoses but ribose withstood heating with the resin suspension for several hours. Heparin was found to be more resistant to hydrolysis than chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid.