The Precipitating Effect of Methanol on Viruses. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Five viruses (Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, MEF human poliomyelitis, mumps, influenza B, and Newcastle disease) were utilized in studying the precipitating effect on them of methanol. Optimal methanol concentrations and optimal pH for elution were determined for each virus and are tabulated (Table I). All of the viruses which were studied demonstrated a relationship between the pH of the elution fluid and solubility: as the pH was raised there was a corresponding increase in solubility of the virus. The methanol precipitation technic results in considerable loss of nitrogen from the virus suspension, but this loss does not appear to be at the expense of the virus.