DETECTION OF PEPTIDOGLYCAN AND BETA-GLUCAN WITH SILKWORM LARVAE PLASMA TEST

A method to detect peptidoglycan and (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan with silk worm larvae plasma (SLP) derived from the hemolymph of the silkworm, B ombyx mori was developed. SLP contains all of the factors of the pro-p henol oxidase cascade, an important self-defense mechanism of insects. Peptidoglycan or (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan initiates the cascade, in wh ich pro-phenol oxidase is finally activated to phenol oxidase. The phe nol oxidase activity was colorimetrically or visually detected with 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine as a substrate. SLP displayed high reactivity with peptidoglycan and polysaccharides containing 1,3-beta-glucosidic linkages, but not with endotoxins. SLP is useful for the detection of microbial contamination because peptidoglycan and (1 --> 3)-beta-D-gl ucan are cell wall components of bacteria and fungi, respectively.