THE SPECIFICITY OF THE PERIODIC ACID-SCHIFF TECHNIQUE STUDIED BY A QUANTITATIVE TEST-TUBE METHOD

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Abstract
A method is described for the quantitative estimation of periodic acid-Schiff positive substances in solutions of tissue components. It was found that hyaluronic acid and chondroitinsulphuric acid are periodic acid-Schiff negative. Any coloration observed could be ascribed to contaminating polysaccharides probably not or not exclusively composed of hexosamine and hexuronic acid. Unlike the hexosamine groups, the hexuronic acid groups in hyaluronic acid and chondroitinsulphuric acid are attacked by periodic acid without formation, however, of aldehyde groups. The chemistry of this process is discussed.