Chromatographic Separation of the Cotton-Gin Trash, Bract, Sisal, and Jute Antigens into Two Fractions

The cotton-gin trash, bract, sisal, and jute antigens were separated into two fractions by Sephadex G-75 column chromatography. The first appeared in the chromatogram as a small, fast-moving fraction, and the second as a large, slow- moving one. Both fractions absorb uv light at 254 nm. Earlier work on the partially- purified antigens showed two bands by gel electrophoresis: a large, slow-moving band that stained heavily for carbohydrate but weakly or not at all for protein, and a small, fast-moving band that stained heavily for protein but less for carbohydrate, indicating the presence of a glycoprotein. The two fractions separated by column chromatogra phy were tested by immunodiffusion for antigenicity. The small, fast-moving fraction is immunologically active against cotton dust antibodies, but the large, slow-moving glycoprotein separated in this procedure is not.