The potato-eelworm hatching factor

The hatching factor from potato root diffusate has many of the properties of eclepic acid from tomato root and Solanum nigrum (Russell, Todd & Waring, 1949), as well as the same biological activity. No comparison of the specific activity of the two products is possible because of differences in the assay techniques, but the best preparations of both showed maximal hatching activity at about 0.1 mg./l. It is found that the potato preparations, which are freely soluble in water, are simultaneously inactivated and rendered insoluble by brief exposure to caustic alkali. The product of alkali treatment has been crystallized.