The Nature of the Formalin Inactivation of Poliomyelitis Virus

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Studies of the formalin inactivation of poliomyelitis virus have shown that the reaction, under the conditions studied, does not follow first order rate laws. Inactivation rate curves plotted in accordance with the first order rate laws show that during the first few hours of the reaction there is a disproportionately great drop in infectious titer which appears on the curve as a sharp deviation from the theoretical straight line. This pattern of the reaction was apparent under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and formalin concentration. Similarly, the pattern was not affected by varying concentrations of protein and amino acids in the virus-suspending media or by subjecting virus suspensions to varying clarification procedures. Tests also indicated that the pattern of the reaction was not an artifact resulting from technical errors in sampling. The rate of the reaction varied with formalin concentration, temperature, pH, and amino acid and protein concentration of the suspending media. Practical implications of the results are presented in the discussion.