to techniques and methods of production. During the survey, abstracts 

 of over 600 articles were typed on punched cards. Microfilm copies of 

 these cards are available for purchase. At the end of this section is 

 a more detailed description of the chemical literature survey including 

 the classification code used and a subject matter index. 



It was decided that in conjunction with the literature review, an 

 economic survey of the industrial possibilities of utilizing materials 

 from salmon cannery waste would be extremely helpful in deciding the 

 direction of the subsequent research activities. Accordingly, a trip was made so 

 that personal interviews could be held with research staff members and 

 executives of leading U. S. pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. In- 

 terviews were held with scientists in medical research centers and uni- 

 versities. Several chemical manufacturers were also interviewed with 

 regard to a possible industrial utilization of Alaskan salmon cannery 

 waste. In all, 18 cities were visited and interviews held with individuals 

 in 31 different laboratories. 



In the following report, the information obtained from both the litera- 

 ture review and the economic survey will be drawn upon in discussing the 

 possibility of using salmon cannery waste for the manufacture of special 

 products. A number of chemical substances will be considered and perti- 

 nent information will be discussed under each separate substance. 



Proteins 



Chemical nature 



Proteins constitute one of the three important classes of foodstuffs. 

 They are found in all animal and vegetable tissues aind their major fiixiction 

 is not primarily to furnish energy, but to act as building blocks in the 

 formation of the organism itself. The proteins form a distinct class of 

 biological substances because of their peculiar chemical and physico-chem- 

 ical properities. In addition they are usually highly characteristic of 

 the species of plant or animal in which they are found. Upon hydrolysis, 

 proteins first yield a series of ill-defined intermediate fragments known 

 as proteoses, peptones, and polypeptides which in turn are broken down to 

 amino acids. Protein quality, as the term is usually applied, is judged 

 on the basis of the amino acid analysis and refers to whether or not the 

 ten "essential" amino acids are present in such a proportion as to promote 

 optimum growth in test animals. 



Uses 



Proteins are very widely used. Their greatest use is, of course, as 

 human and animal food. Other uses include the manufacture of pharmaceuti- 

 cal and industrial products such as: protein hydrolysates for medicinal 

 use; amino acids; growth media for the production of antibiotic substances 

 as penicillin and streptomycin; and many others. 



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