Digestion in Parasitic Nematodes. II. The Digestion of Fats

Enzymes hydrolysing olive oil and ethyl butyrate (probably lipases and esterases) have been extracted from the intestines of Strongylus edentatus and Ascaris lumbricoides (pig strain). Maximum enzyme activity was obtained at p H 8·0. A. lumbricoides enzymes were assisted by sodium glycocholate. Sodium taurocholate had a retarding effect on the enzymes from both parasites. Enzymes extracted from A. lumbricoides were activated by the presence of NaHCO 3 solutions whereas S. edentatus enzymes were not activated by this salt. Esterase action, relative to lipase action, was 2½ times greater in S. edentatus than in A. lumbricoides .