[Toxigenesis of Clostridium novyi type A. 2. Communication: Extraction alpha-toxin from the cells by hypertonic buffers (author's transl)].

Great amounts of alpha-toxin produced by Cl. novyi type A and accumulated within the cell can be extracted by 0,2M sodium citrate buffer (pH 7,7) during the course of 2 to 5 days at 37 degrees C. Physiological saline, 0,1 M sodium citrate buffer (pH 7,7) and 0,05 to 0,2 M EDTA-buffers (pH 7,7) were not effective for complete extraction. During the process of extraction the lattice like structure of the peripheral part of the Cl. novyi cell wall was partially destroyed. The lattice is supposed to be a diffusion barrier for the toxin and may be regarded as one reason for the toxin accumulation in Cl. novyi.