
%0 Journal Article
%A Wong, LK 
%A Crowden, RK 
%T Preliminary Studies on the Mucus Secretion of the Wood Wasp, Sirex Noctilio F. I. Physicochemical and Biochemical Properties
%J Australian Journal of Biological Sciences
%D 1976/03/01
%V 29
%N 2
%P 21-32
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/BI9760021
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/BI9760021 
%X The major component of S. noctilio mucus appears to be a protein-polysaccharide complex with probable molecular weight in the range 60000-100000. In aqueous solution the macromolecule undergoes slow spontaneous disaggregation to yield dialysable subunits of molecular weight 2000-6000 which retain all the physiological activity of the whole mucus. More rapid disaggregation is brought about by treatment of solutions with moderate concentrations of NaC!, KCI or CaCI2 , or by heating. The native mucus contains amylase, esterase, phenoloxidase and proteolytic enzyme activities, and it is suggested that these enzymes may be responsible, at least in part, for the 'natural' disaggregation process. 
