Author : Anju 1
Date of Publication :14th March 2018
Abstract: Nearly 20,000 people die every year from snakebite in India alone. More than 285 species of snakes are known to exist in India itself. Among these, nearly 58 are known to cause fatal bites. The venom of B. caeruleus is highly lethal: LD50 is 10-12 μg for 70-75 Kg man. Here the specific characters of Indian common krait venom like toxicity and haemolytic activity are studied. Effect of light, pH, chemicals and radiations has also been studied. Hydrogen peroxide reduced the toxicity to 99% but immunogenicity is also lost up to 29%. The effect of electromagnetic spectrum on the venom of Bungarus caeruleus has also been observed. It was found that the venom turns totally non-toxic at 22°C and 37 °C when stored for 28 days, but immunogenicity of the venom is reduced too. After irradiation, there is a change in a number of physical and chemical properties of the proteins. It may further have produced rearrangement of the protein. We can observe the loss of immunogenic components when exposed to UV, infra-red rays and to direct sunlight. The venom is subjected to various temperatures and the effect on reduction of toxicity and immunogenicity has been observed
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- https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/francesco-redi-1626-1698
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