Characterization of Libyan Cobra (Naja haje) Venom using
Fluorescence and UV-Visible Spectroscopy
Volume 2 - Issue 1
Inass A Sadaw1, Nisreen H Meiqa1, Salah M Bensabe1, Massaud Salem Maama2, Anton Herman3, Abdulathim
A Alshousha4 and Abdul M Gba1*
- 1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli, Libiya
- 2Zoology Department, University of Tripoli, Libiya
- 3Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Austria
- 4Food and Drug Control Centre (LFDA), Tripoli, Libya
Received: March 11, 2020 Published: March 17, 2020
Corresponding author: Abdul M Gbaj, PhD, Associate Professor of Genetics and Biochemistry, Food and Drug Control Centre
(LFDA), Tripoli, Libya
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Abstract
Snake venoms act as a preparative to defend animals against predators and helps in immobilizing and digestion of prey. Venoms
consist of a combination of enzymes and toxins, such as metalloproteases, phospholipase A2, L-amino acid oxidase and toxins,
including cytotoxins and neurotoxins. In addition to their toxicity, venom components exhibit several pharmacological activities
and can be used as templates for drug design. The Libyan cobra venom was studied using UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopic
techniques. The cobra protein main chain absorbs light in the region of 240-340nm. The aromatic sidechains of cobra venom
contain tyrosine, tryptophan and phenylalanine which are responsible for the absorbance in this region. Cobra venom provides
intrinsic fluorescence emissions due to excitation of tryptophan residues, with some contribution from phenylalanine and tyrosine
emissions. In addition, di sulphide bridges contribute considerable absorption in this wavelength range. The main fluorescence
obtained is due to tryptophan which has a wavelength of maximum absorption at 280 nm and an emission peak ranging from 310
to 350 nm. UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques are sensitive and rapid to study cobra venom in order
to better comprehend the performance of this venom.
Keywords: Snakebite; Envenomation; Libyan Cobra; Protein Fluorescence
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