Factors influencing the activity of sterile filtered and heat-sterilized trypsin solutions.

The mode of sterilization (filtration or heat) was found to significantly affect the activity of trypsin solutions. Trypsin activity was substantially reduced in the initial fractions of filtrate passed through asbestos filter pads; heat-sterilized trypsin was satisfactory for transfer of cell cultures grown on glass. Heat-sterilized trypsin may be useful when elimination of filterable organisms is required.