Improvement of the gelling properties of meat emulsion gel by the addition of porcine sarcoplasmic proteins

The effects of porcine sarcoplasmic proteins (SP) on the physicochemical properties of meat emulsion gel were examined. Meat emulsion was prepared from water‐washed pork meat (WWM), corn oil and SP. Whole SP (W‐SP) enhanced the breaking stress of the WWM emulsion gel as well as other animal proteins in the presence of 0.2 mol/L NaCl. The breaking stress of the emulsion with W‐SP increased with an increase in corn oil content. Furthermore, this tendency was more noticeable at a lower NaCl concentration (0.15 mol/L) rather than at 0.45 mol/L NaCl. Ammonium sulfate (AS) treatment fractionated W‐SP into three portions (SP‐f1, SP‐f2 and SP‐f3), which were the precipitates at 0–50% and 50–75% AS saturation and the supernatant at 75% AS saturation, respectively. The fractions SP‐f2 and SP‐f3 increased the gel strength more than W‐SP. In particular, the fraction SP‐f3 increased the gel strength approximately 10‐fold compared to the control. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that SP‐f3 had several kinds of proteins and a main protein with a molecular mass of 35 kDa, which corresponded to glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. These results indicate that the influence of SP should not be ignored when processing of low‐salt meat products and the fraction SP‐f3 has a gel‐enhancing factor for myofibrillar proteins.     

Physicochemical properties of the thermal gel of water-washed meat in the presence of the more soluble fraction of porcine sarcoplasmic protein

We investigated the physicochemical properties of the thermal gel of water‐washed pork meat (WWM) in the presence of the soluble fraction of porcine sarcoplasmic protein (SP) obtained with ammonium sulfate at 75 percent saturation. Two precipitated fractions of SP were obtained at 0–50 percent and 50–75 percent saturation, named SP‐f1 and SP‐f2, respectively, and the soluble fraction obtained at 75 percent saturation, SP‐f3, was used. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that SP‐f3 contained mainly glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), while SP‐f1 and SP‐f2 had other SPs such as phosphorylase b, enolase, actin and phosphoglycerate mutase. The gel strength of WWM was greater when SP‐f3 rather than one of various animal proteins such as bovine plasma (BP), egg white, or whey protein isolates (WPI), was added and SP‐f3 had a gel‐enhancing effect as good as that of polyphosphate (PP). The gel strength of WWM with added SP‐f3 increased significantly with NaCl at 0.15 mol/L or more, but not in the absence of NaCl (0 mol/L). The effect of SP‐f3 was evident at neutral pH and maximum gel strength was obtained at a pH above 6.0. Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis showed that an endothermic peak corresponding to myosin heads in WWM shifted to a lower temperature with the addition of SP‐f3, as in the case of PP, though there was no such shift in the presence of other animal proteins (BP, egg white and WPI), suggesting that SP‐f3 increases the gel strength of WWM through the dissociation of actomyosin similar to PP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed wall‐like structures among the protein strands in the WWM gel matrix in the presence of SP‐f3. The results of DSC and SEM indicated that the formation of a gel network in meat products is reinforced with GAPDH in SP after the interaction between GAPDH and myofibrillar protein.     

抗κ-酪蛋白单克隆抗体的制备及其特性鉴定

To obtain the anti-kappa casein monoclonal antibody and complete the identification of the antibody characteristics. The BALB/c mice were immunized with kappa casein using foot-pad immunization. Popliteal lymph node cells from the immunized mice were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells in the presence of PEG. Three hybridoma strains (1C4, 3G3, 3E6) which secreted the antibody specific for kappa casein were obtained．The sub-class of the antibodies were IgG1. The ascites were purified by Protein G affinity layer absorption column. The antigenic epitope of 3G3 and 3E6 were different and it was close between 1C4 and 3E6.The titer of purified ascites(1C4) was 1.28×10⁶ and the affinity constant was 2.89×10⁸ mol/L. A anti-kappa casein monoclonal antibody with good affinity had been achieved，which provided foundations for the rapid detection of casein in bovine milk samples.     

抗Asia1型口蹄疫病毒单克隆抗体的制备及生物学特性鉴定

用纯化的Asia1型口蹄疫病毒免疫BALB/c小鼠,取免疫小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞进行融合,经间接ELISA和间接免疫荧光(IFA)筛选,有限稀释法克隆,获得了2株稳定分泌单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为3H6、5G3,其细胞培养上清效价分别为1:64和1:128,小鼠腹水效价分别为1×10~(-4)和8×10~(-3);ELISA和IFA结果显示,2株单抗仅与Asial型口蹄疫病毒反应,不与O型口蹄疫病毒反应,表明它们均为抗Asial型口蹄疫病毒的型特异性单克隆抗体。westem blot结果显示,2株单克隆抗体均不与全病毒抗原反应,表明它们所针对的抗原表位均为构象表位。相加ELISA试验表明,两株单抗识别不同的抗原表位。经硫氰酸盐洗脱法测定,3H6和5G3的相对亲和力指数分别为1.0 mol/L和1.5 mol/L。这2株单抗的获得为建立口蹄疫病毒检测方法提供了强有力的工具。     

含海藻糖稀释剂增补EDTA对猪精子冷冻能力的影响

探讨了猪精子冷冻保存液中添加不同浓度的海藻糖(trehalose)和EDTA(0.05mol/L trehalose、0.05mol/L trehalose 2.0mmol/LEDTA、0.05mol/L trehalose 5.0mmol/L EDTA、0.1mol/L trehalose、0.1mol/L tre-halose 2.0mmol/LEDTA、0.1mol/L trehalose 5.0mmol/LEDTA)对猪精子冷冻效果的影响。结果表明,精子冷冻解冻后,0.1mol/Ltrehalose 2mmol/LEDTA混合处理组精子活力显著高于0.1mol/Ltrehalose处理组(P<0.05),0.1mol/Ltrehalose和5.0mmol/LEDTA混合处理组的精子生存率最高。0.1mol/Ltrehalose和2~5mmol/LEDTA混合处理组精子顶体完整率显著高于trehalose处理组(P<0.05),0.05~0.1mol/Ltrehalose和5.0mmol/LEDTA混合处理组低渗膨胀精子率显著高于trehalose处理组(P<0.05)。trehalose和EDTA混合处理组精子内活性氧(ROS)含量总体上高于trehalose处理组(P<0.05)。这些结果显示稀释剂中trehalose和EDTA增补能改善精液特性,但不能抑制精子内ROS的发生。     

猪植入前胚胎体外培养条件的优化

探讨了更换胚胎培养液及添加FBS、高渗透压和不同浓度VE对猪卵母细胞体外受精(IVF)和孤雌激活(PA)胚胎体外发育的影响,进一步优化了猪植入前胚胎体外培养体系。试验一：在第2天、第4天更换新的培养液(换液组),在换液基础上第4天更换为添加10%FBS的培养液(FBS组)。试验二：胚胎分别在0.05 mol/L蔗糖(蔗糖组)和138 mmol/L氯化钠(氯化钠组)的PZM-3(300～320 mOsmol)中培养2 d后移至PZM-3(288 mOsmol)中培养5 d。试验三：在培养液中分别添加50、100和200 μmol/L VE。对照组均在PZM-3(288 mOsmol)中培养7 d。结果表明：试验一,IVF和PA胚胎FBS组囊胚率显著高于对照组和换液组(P<0.05);试验二,IVF胚胎氯化钠组卵裂率、囊胚率均显著高于对照组与蔗糖组(P<0.05);试验三,IVF胚胎添加100 μmol/L VE组囊胚率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果提示,在换液的基础上添加FBS有利于猪IVF和PA胚胎的体外发育;氯化钠调节的高渗透压可以促进猪IVF胚胎的早期发育;添加100 μmol/L VE可以改善猪IVF胚胎的体外发育体系。     

赤羽病毒单克隆抗体的研制及鉴定

用纯化的赤羽病毒（akabane virus,AKAV）免疫Balb/c小鼠,取小鼠脾细胞和骨髓瘤细胞SP2/0融合,经间接ELISA筛选和3次有限稀释法克隆,得到2株能稳定分泌抗赤羽病毒单克隆抗体（McAb）的杂交瘤细胞株,分别命名为AKAV McAb 3A株和2C株。ELISA试验和中和试验结果表明,本研究制备的2株McAb均具有良好的特异性,为AKAV阳性,杂交瘤细胞培养上清液抗体的效价分别为1∶640和1∶320,腹水的效价分别为1∶256000和1∶128000,亲和常数（Ka）分别为1.16×10^-9和6.31×10^-8 mol/L,3A株的相对亲和力大于2 C株,具有病毒中和活性,中和效价分别为1∶64和1∶32,其IgG亚类为IgG1,轻链的亚型均为kappa型,2株细胞冻存3次复苏后仍能稳定分泌抗体,表明AKAV McAb制备成功,为赤羽病快速诊断方法的研究奠定了基础。     

野桑蚕多酚氧化酶的部分生化特性分析

基于开发专一的酶抑制剂控制野桑蚕危害桑园的目的,采用硫酸铵分级沉淀及Sephadex G-100凝胶过滤等方法,纯化了野桑蚕(Bom byx mandarina)多酚氧化酶,纯化倍数为57.14倍。该酶对焦性没食子酸、邻苯二酚和L-多巴的米氏常数(Km)值分别为3.39、2.06和3.17 mmol/L,在pH 7.0、37℃时活性最高。利用硫脲、抗坏血酸等多种氧化酶抑制剂对该酶活性的抑制结果表明,所用抑制剂对其均有不同程度的抑制作用。此外,该酶对乙二胺四乙酸(EDTA)和金属离子比较敏感。     

Protective effect of sodium glutamate and sorbitol on thermal denaturation of chicken and croaker actomyosin

The thermal protective effect (E‐Value) of sodium glutamate (Na‐Glu) on chicken and croaker actomyosin (AM) was significant but decreased slightly with increasing concentration. The E‐value of chicken AM with Na‐Glu was 1.11 mol/L^?1 at 0–0.75 mol/L and decreased to 0.4 mol/L^?1 at 0.75–1.5 mol/L. Likewise, the E‐value of croaker AM with Na‐Glu was 1.51 mol/L^?1 at 0–1 mol/L and decreased to 0.2 mol/L^?1 at 1–1.5 mol/L. Sorbitol showed a steady thermal protective effect on chicken and croaker AM. The E‐values of chicken and croaker AM at 0 to 1.5 mol/L sorbitol were 0.71 mol/L^?1 and 0.59 mol/L^?1, respectively. The protective effect of sorbitol on both types of AM was greater than that of Na‐Glu. Higher concentrations of Na‐Glu with chicken and croaker AM gave a decrease in viscosity number and turbidity. Higher concentrations of Na‐Glu caused internal aggregation of AM and the protective effect of Na‐Glu was decreased. The results of this experiment confirmed that Na‐Glu and sorbitol have different modes of action and ability to control the thermal denaturation of chicken and croaker AM.     

家蚕蛋白质双向电泳的样品制备方法

进行蛋白质组研究的关键是要尽可能完整地获得一个基因组在一个生物体或一个组织器官的特定时期表达的蛋白质的种类和数量 ,双向电泳技术是分离组织和器官蛋白质的核心技术 ,而蛋白质样品的制备是双向电泳的基础。以家蚕胚胎、中肠、皮肤、丝腺等组织器官为材料 ,采用磷酸缓冲液或Tris HCl缓冲液抽提蛋白质样品 ,用 6种不同的蛋白质溶解缓冲液溶解蛋白质 ,经蛋白质双向电泳和蛋白质图像软件分析 ,结果表明用磷酸缓冲液抽提、蛋白质溶解缓冲液E溶解是制备家蚕蛋白质双向电泳样品的较好方法。蛋白质磷酸抽提缓冲液 (PBS)的组成为 :32 5mmol/LK2 HPO4,2 6mmol/LKH2 PO4,4 0 0mmol/LNaCl,pH 7 6。蛋白质样品溶解缓冲液E的组成为 :8mol/L尿素 ,2mol/L硫尿 ,4 %CHAPS ,2 0mmol/LTrisbase,30mmol/LDTE ,2 %Pharmalyte(pH 3～ 10 )。     

Effect of Different Concentrations of Neuropeptide P on Expression of BMP2 and BMP4 Genes in Skin Stem Cells of Mongolia Cashmere Goat

This study was aimed to explore the expression of BMP2 and BMP4 genes in skin stem cells of Mongolia Cashmere goat with the influence of different concentrations of neuropeptide P (SP).We set five different SP concentrations (0, 1×10^-6, 1×10^-7, 1×10^-8 and 1×10^-9 mol/L) to stimulate the skin stem cells, then identified the expression quantities of BMP2 and BMP4 at days of 0, 7, 14 and 21 by Real-time quantitative PCR with the purpose of determining the optimum SP concentration for the differentiation of skin stem cells.The results showed that SP with the concentrations of 1×10^-6 and 1 ×10^-8 mol/L promoted the expression of BMP2 and BMP4;The expression of BMP2 at 7 and 14 d in SP 1×10^-8 mol/L group was significantly higher than that of the SP 1×10^-6 mol/L group (P<0.05);The expression of BMP4 in SP 1×10^-6 mol/L group had no significant difference with the SP 1×10^-8 mol/L group (P>0.05);At 21 d, the expression of BMP2 and BMP4 significantly decreased in SP 1×10^-8 and the SP 1×10^-6 mol/L groups, and the expression of BMP2 in the SP 1×10^-8 mol/L group was significantly higher than that of the 1×10^-6 mol/L group (P<0.05), while the expression of BMP4 in the SP 1×10^-6 mol/L group had no significant difference with that of SP 1×10^-8 mol/L group (P>0.05).The results indicated that the concentrations of 1×10^-6 and 1×10^-8 mol/L not only might affect the expression of BMP2 and BMP4 of skin stem cells, but also provided a theoretical basis for the directional differentiation of skin stem cells.     

不同浓度神经肽P物质刺激对内蒙古白绒山羊皮肤干细胞BMP2、BMP4基因表达的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同浓度的神经肽P物质(SP)刺激对内蒙古白绒山羊皮肤干细胞BMP2、BMP4基因表达的影响。本研究分别采用0(对照组)、1×10^-6、1×10^-7、1×10^-8、1×10^-9 mol/L 5个浓度梯度的SP对内蒙古白绒山羊皮肤干细胞进行刺激处理,并分别于第0、7、14及21天采用实时荧光定量PCR方法鉴定BMP2和BMP4基因的表达量。结果显示,1×10^-6和1×10^-8 mol/L的SP促进BMP2、BMP4的表达;在7和14 d时,SP 1×10^-8 mol/L组BMP2的表达量显著高于SP 1×10^-6 mol/L组(P<0.05),SP 1×10^-6 mol/L组BMP4的表达量与SP 1×10^-8 mol/L组差异不显著(P>0.05);在21 d时,SP 1×10^-8 mol/L、SP 1×10^-6 mol/L组BMP2、BMP4的表达量都明显降低,其中SP 1×10^-8 mol/L组BMP2的表达量显著高于1×10^-6 mol/L组(P<0.05),SP 1×10^-6 mol/L组BMP4的表达量与SP 1×10^-8 mol/L组差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,SP 1×10^-6和1×10^-8 mol/L不仅对内蒙古白绒山羊皮肤干细胞BMP2、BMP4基因的表达量有影响,而且为皮肤干细胞的定向分化提供理论基础。     

Effects of leptin on the release of luteinizing hormone, growth hormone and prolactin from cultured bovine anterior pituitary cells

The effects of leptin on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) were studied in cultured bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells in vitro. The AP cells were obtained from fully‐fed Japanese Black steers and were incubated for 3 h with 10^?13 to 10^?7 mol/L of leptin after incubating in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium for 3 days. Leptin significantly increased the concentration of LH in the culture medium by 45 and 44% at doses of 10^?8 and 10^?7 mol/L, respectively, compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Leptin significantly increased the concentration of GH in the culture medium by 14 and 12% at doses of 10^?8 and 10^?7 mol/L, respectively (P < 0.05). Leptin also significantly increased the concentration of PRL in the culture medium by 26% compared with the controls at a dose of 10^?7 mol/L (P < 0.05). These results show that leptin stimulates the release of LH, GH and PRL by acting directly on bovine AP cells from fully‐fed steers.     

IMP improves water‐holding capacity,physical and sensory properties of heat‐induced gels from porcine meat

Water‐holding capacity (WHC) of heat‐induced pork gels was examined. The heat‐induced gels were obtained from meat homogenates prepared by adding nine volumes of 0.3–0.5 mol/L NaCl solutions containing 9–36 mmol/L disodium inosine‐5′‐monophosphate (IMP) or 9 mmol/L tetrapotassium pyrophosphate (KPP) to minced pork. IMP at 36 mmol/L enhanced the WHC to the same level as attained by KPP. Physical and sensory properties of heat‐induced gels were also examined. The heat‐induced gels were prepared from porcine meat homogenates containing 0.3 mol/L NaCl and 9–36 mmol/L IMP or 9 mmol/L KPP. IMP at 36 mmol/L enhanced the values of hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and springiness, measured with a Tensipresser, and several organoleptic scores to the same level as the score attained by KPP. Thus, it is concluded that IMP is expected to be a practical substitute for pyrophosphates to improve the quality of sausages.     

Sex steroid hormones do not enhance the direct stimulatory effect of kisspetin‐10 on the secretion of growth hormone from bovine anterior pituitary cells

The aims of the present study were to clarify the effect of kisspeptin10 (Kp10) on the secretion of growth hormone (GH) from bovine anterior pituitary (AP) cells, and evaluate the ability of sex steroid hormones to enhance the sensitivity of somatotrophic cells to Kp10. AP cells prepared from 8–11‐month‐old castrated calves were incubated for 12 h with estradiol (E₂, 10^?8 mol/L),progesterone (P₄, 10^?8 mol/L), testosterone (T, 10^?8 mol/L), or vehicle only (control), and then for 2 h with Kp10. The amount of GH released in the medium was measured by a time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay. Kp10 (10^?6 or 10^?5 mol/L) significantly stimulated the secretion of GH from the AP cells regardless of steroid treatments (P < 0.05), and E₂, P₄, and T had no effect on this response. The GH‐releasing response to growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH, 10^?8 mol/L) was significantly greater than that to Kp10 (P < 0.05). The present results suggest that Kp10 directly stimulates the release of GH from somatotrophic cells and sex steroid hormones do not enhance the sensitivity of these cells to Kp10. Furthermore, they suggest that the GH‐releasing effect of Kp10 is less potent than that of GHRH.     

Partial purification and characterization of chicken interleukin-2.

Chicken interleukin 2 (IL-2) activity was partially purified from conditioned medium produced by culturing chicken splenic lymphocytes in the presence of concanavalin A. The purification procedure included sequential steps of gel filtration chromatography, reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography, and phenyl-sepharose chromatography. Two peaks of IL-2 activity with apparent mol. wt. ranges of 36-39 kD and 17.5-25 kD were eluted from the Sephadex G100 gel filtration column. An increase in IL-2 spec. act. from 14 U mg-1 to between 2000 and 20,000 U mg-1 was obtained for the Sephadex G100 column peaks when subjected to the subsequent steps of the purification procedure. Alkylative reduction of the higher mol. wt. Sephadex G100 column peak (followed by re-chromatography with Sephadex G100), resulted in generation of the lower (17.5 kD) mol. wt. peak, indicating that chicken IL-2 is capable of either dimerizing or forming aggregates with other proteins. Elution of the lower mol. wt. IL-2 activity from a non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel demonstrated an apparent mol. wt. for chicken IL-2 of 20 kD, which confirmed the range of 17.5-25 kD seen with gel filtration.     

扁蓿豆SK2型脱水素基因MrDHN3的异源表达提高大肠杆菌对盐和高温胁迫的抗性

扁蓿豆为高原高寒地区优质豆科牧草,具有极强的抗旱、耐寒、抗盐碱的能力。脱水素(DHNs)是参与植物逆境应答的一类蛋白。根据前期RNA-seq的结果,从扁蓿豆幼苗中克隆到一个编码脱水素的基因MrDHN3。序列分析显示该基因含666 bp的开放阅读框,编码221个氨基酸,为一个SK2型酸性脱水蛋白。氨基酸序列比对结果表明,MrDHN3与豆科植物白三叶和蒺藜苜蓿相似性最高,达83%。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,MrDHN3基因受脱水、低温、高盐和脱落酸处理诱导表达,表明MrDHN3参与了扁蓿豆的非生物胁迫响应。通过构建原核表达载体,在大肠杆菌中过表达MrDHN3蛋白,检测重组菌在盐和高温胁迫处理下的生长存活情况。结果发现,在0.5 mol/L NaCl和0.5 mol/L KCl高盐胁迫条件下,重组大肠杆菌的存活率明显高于对照菌株;在55 ℃高温胁迫条件下, 转化大肠杆菌的生长状态明显优于对照。表明MrDHN3对盐和高温引起的细胞损伤具有保护作用。为今后作物抗逆性遗传改良的研究提供了有用信息。     

Identification and partial purification of serum growth hormone binding protein in domestic animal species.

The chemical nature and variations in serum concentrations of growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) from humans, rabbits, and rodents have been reported. To date little is known about the GHBP of domestic animals. Therefore, we initiated these studies to determine whether a serum GHBP was present in domestic animals and to purify the binding protein (BP) from serum of selected species. Using a dextran-coated charcoal separation assay, specific growth hormone (GH) binding was demonstrated in ovine, bovine, chicken, human, goose, porcine, and equine serum (listed in sequence from lowest to highest binding). Variation in BP activity was relatively high, both within and between species. Yearling ewes had higher serum GHBP than either prepubertal (4 mo) or older (5 yr) ewes. The GHBP was partially purified from chicken, ovine, and porcine serum using GH affinity chromatography. These BP had high affinity (Ka = 2 x 10(8) to 2 x 10(9) L/mol, depending on species) and low capacity (2 x 10(-10) to 5 x 10(-11) mol/unit of protein) for human GH but showed lower binding affinity for homologous GH (Ka = 2 x 10(7) L/mol). The porcine GHBP had the highest and ovine GHBP the lowest affinity for human GH. Other heterologous somatotropic hormones, ovine placental lactogen, and ovine GH displayed higher binding affinity to chicken and pig BP than the respective homologous hormones. Further chromatographic purification of the porcine GHBP resulted in an additional 1,000-fold purification. The estimated molecular weight of porcine GHBP is 50,000 to 60,000 Da. These results demonstrate that the serum from all domestic species tested contains a specific GH-binding moiety and that under the conditions described here human GH is a more efficient ligand than the homologous hormone.     

不同多花黑麦草品种萌发期耐盐性评价

采用0、23.4、35.1、46.8和58.5 mol/L NaCl溶液对24个多花黑麦草(Lolium multiflourum)品种种子进行处理,测定了发芽率、生长状况和叶片含水量。结果表明,随着盐浓度的增加,相对发芽率、相对幼苗和相对根长、相对生物量和相对叶片含水量呈下降趋势,且23.4 mol/L NaCl 溶液处理下的各指标值显著高于46.8和58.5 mol/L处理（P<0.05）。盐胁迫对参试材料相对根长的影响最大,其次是相对苗长,对相对叶片含水量影响最小。盐胁迫下各材料间的相对根长和相对生物量差异较明显。综合评价24个种质材料耐盐性,耐盐材料为LM05、LM07、LM10、LM20和LM23,盐敏感材料为LM03、LM08、LM09和LM16。     

Binding of sulphamethazine to pig plasma proteins and albumin

The interaction of sulphamethazine (SMZ) with pig plasma proteins and albumin was studied by ultrafiltration and equilibrium dialysis. Binding to pig plasma proteins was monophasic (affinity ˜9.0 mol/L × 10³) and the main binding protein was albumin. At 37ΩC and pH 7.4, the affinity of SMZ for albumin was about 8.0 mol/L x 10³ and the number of binding sites was estimated as 1.4. Increasing the temperature from 4 to 45ΩC resulted in a sevenfold decrease in affinity, and increasing pH from 6.0 to 8.0 enhanced affinity for pig albumin ten-fold. The free energy of binding (-ΔG) and enthalpy change (-ΔH) were around 5.5 and 5.1 Kcal/mol, respectively. The total entropy change (ΔS) was small and positive, around 2 cal/mol/°K. Studies with the fluorescent probes warfarin and dansylsarcosine, suggest that these bind to separate sites on porcine albumin. SMZ displaced both probes and inhibited the deacetylation of p-nitrophenyl acetate by pig albumin. We conclude that: (1) binding of SMZ to pig plasma proteins and albumin is weak; (2) the interaction with albumin is exothermic and enthalpy driven, and (3) pig albumin, like other mammalian albumins, appears to possess discrete binding sites for warfarin and dansylsarcosine. SMZ interacts with both these loci.