alpha-L-fucosidase phenotyping in human tissues, dental pulps and hair roots.

Phenotypes of alpha-L-fucosidase (Fu) were demonstrated from tissue samples of spleen, liver, lung and kidney stored for a few weeks at room temperature. Activity was fairly low in pancreas, heart, muscle, skin and brain, and typing was not reliable after 1 week storage. Fu types were detectable from dental pulp tissue of up to 1 week storage. Activity was present in hair root cells, but was extremely low. The results show that the Fu typing may be applicable to individual identification of organ tissues and teeth.