Properties and quality characteristics of crystalline insulin extracted by ultrasound

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering 1986-03, Vol.28 (3), p.349-355
• Main Author: Zayas, Joseph F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; General pharmacology; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Physicochemical properties. Structure-activity relationships
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.260280307

Crystalline insulin was obtained from the pancreas by the method of ultrasound extraction. Extreme changes of pancreas structure were noticed, including rupture of the cells of pancreatic islands and decomposition of pancreatic tissue with the formation of micro‐and macro‐canals. These changes facilitate the migration of solvent inside the structure and washing out β cell content. Structural changes were maximal in the peripheral parts of the pancreas and in frozen pancreas treated by ultrasound. A rapid filming method recorded factors influencing the extraction process—the dispersing effect of ultrasound, the rapid destruction of pancreatic particles, and the swelling and intensive pulsation of small particles in the ultrasound field. Experimental, control, and standard insulin preparations were nearly identical in Physicochemical properties and ether quality characteristics: activity determined by a biological method and electrophoresis; homogeneity and purity determined by circle chromatography; fractions of insulin determined by starch gel electrophoresis; amino acid composition; solubility; and content of moisture, zinc, and nitrogen.