Abstract
An adhesive substance, H-2, isolated by HPLC is present in the pellicle of the Japanese chestnut which makes it difficult to peel. The adhesive force of H-2 was measured by applying it between two wooden test pieces and its hemagglutination activity using in sheep and rabbit erythrocytes. The hemagglutination of H-2 was not inhibited by sorbitol, glucose, sucrose, glucosamine, Nacetyl-glucosamine or (+)-catechin ; its was accelerated by divalent cations, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Mn2+. The pyrolysis-gas chromatogram pattern of H-2 was similar to that of (+)-catechin. The IR spectrum had peaks of 3450 cm-1 (OH) and 1605, 1520 cm-1 (aromatic ring). The molecular weight of H-2, determined by HPLC, was approximately 1500. These findings indicate that H-2 is a polymer containing (+)-catechin. This adhesive substance between the pellicle and kernel of the chestnut is called "Castahesion".
