A comparative study on esterases from three species of Raillietina.

The multiplicity of soluble esterases in Raillietina tetragona, R. echinobothrida and R. cesticillus was studied by use of slab polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five fractions of esterase activity were observed in R. tetragona, seven in R. echinobothrida and three in R. cesticillus. The various fractions of esterase activity of closely related species of Raillietina showed differential behaviour towards various chemicals. Based on the inhibitory effect of inhibitors p-CMB, EDTA, malathion, silver nitrate and eserine sulphate, the various esterases have been classified into arylesterase, carboxylesterase, acetylesterase and cholinesterase.