Rupert J. Best2014-09-122014-09-122007http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/5633The effect of various reducing systems on the activity of suspensions of the virus of tomato spotted wilt has been tested. Hydrogen in the presence of platinised platinum arrested the normal aerobic inactivation of the virus, and thereafter maintained the activity at a constant level for the duration of the experiment (eight hours). Suspensions of the virus in the presence of cystein and absence of oxygen have been kept in an active state for 35 days as compared with the normal in vitro life of a few hours. The sodium salts of glutathione, thioglycollic acid and ascorbic acid (all buffered at pH 7) preserved the virus against rapid aerobic inactivation. Adrenaline had no significant effect on the activity of suspensions exposed to air, but protected the virus against the slow inactivation which takes place in the absence of oxygen. Redox potentials of the test systems are recorded and discussed in relation to the relative efficiencies of the protective agents.enArticle