LPT 312: Abattoir Practices and Animal Products Technology (1+1)

PRESERVATION OF GLANDS

• The first method of preservation applicable to all glands is freezing and the production of glands should therefore only be attempted when it is possible to freeze them within an hour of collection and deliver them in a frozen condition to the pharmaceutical producers.
• Some glands like pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, etc., may be preserved by chemical means as for instance by immersing one lbs of gland in 1 lb. of acetone.
• After 24 hours the glands must be removed and placed in fresh acetone.
• The used acetone is then purified and used again.
• In this process, the enzymes are inactivated and thus shelf-life is increased.
• Fatty material, which generally interferes with the extraction of most proteins, is also eliminated.
• The desired protein from the acetone can be directly extracted with usual solvents. The requirement of solvent is also minimized.
• Chemical methods of conserving glands should only be used after previous consultation with the manufacturers who will indicate how to undertake the preservations.
• Percent phenol or percent formalin is sometimes used.