Liberation of Hexosamine, Hexuronic Acid, and Hydroxyproline From Tissues by Resin Hydrolysis

Excess sulphonated polystyrene resin (Dowex-50, 200–400 mesh) suspended in 0.05 N hydrochloric acid has been found suitable as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of tissue samples preparatory to the determination of hexosamine, hexuronic acid, and hydroxyproline. This technique protected hexuronic acid from destruction during hydrolysis sufficiently well to permit of its determination. The resin used in hydrolysis has been used also for separation of sugars and hexuronic acid from hexosamine and hydroxyproline by differential elution.