Date of Award

2006

Document Type

Research Paper

First Advisor

Devin Iimoto

Abstract

Current research is aimed at testing a purified solution of a fibrinolytic enzyme. Apcfib, which comes from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth Snake) to dissolve blood stains on two different makes of fabric (80% cotton/ 20% polyester and 100% polyester) and test the enzyme’s ability to dissolve blood stains when combined with a protease, in this case thermolysin, Treatment of blood stains on 100% polyester was more effective overall than on the 80% cotton/100% polyester fabric. 2.0x10^ -4 ��mol/min of Apcfib activity added to a 200��L of blood stain was the minimum needed in order to significantly reduce the density of the stain. No difference was observed between stains treated with 1.0x10 ^-4 ��mol/min Apcfib solution and stains with no enzyme treatment. Thermolysin, when added to the stains in a solution of 2.0x10^-4 ��mol/min of enzyme activity, had no significant effect on the blood stains. Apcfib and thermolysin in a combined solution of 2.0x10^-4 ��mol/min of activity produced stains even denser than those treated with water alone.

Comments

WSP Major: Topics in Molecular Biology

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