Transaminases of Leishmania donovani, the Causative Organism of Kala-azar

Abstract

WHILE making a systematic investigation into the role of individual amino-acids on the nutritional requirements of Leishmania donovani, a protozoal parasite causing the disease kala-azar, strong transaminase activities were detected in the cell-free extracts of this organism. L. donovani, strain 81, cultured on Ray's medium¹ at 22–24° C. was used for this investigation. After growth for three days on this medium the organism was scraped from the surface of the agar, washed once with isotonic saline, and then ground with sand, with gradual additions of distilled water. The crushed suspension was centrifuged at 2,500 r.p.m. for 10 min. and the supernate was used as the crude enzyme extract.