A Detailed Explanation of Scorpion Venom Extraction Methods and Operating Steps

When an adult live scorpion is provoked, it releases venom from its venom sac out of the instinct to defend or attack. Scorpion venom extraction is carried out based on this principle. At present, the methods commonly used for artificial collection of scorpion venom include the tail-cutting method, the manual stimulation method and the electrical stimulation method.

1 . Tail-cutting method  This is a relatively simple and crude venom collection method. First, use scissors to cut off the tail segment (venom sac) of a live scorpion, that is, to remove the venom gland intact; first grind it, then extract it with distilled water or normal saline, centrifuge and concentrate the supernatant, and dry it to obtain scorpion venom dry powder.

The advantages of the tail-cutting method are: it is simple and easy to perform, fast, and yields a large amount of venom; its disadvantages are: because the tail segment of the scorpion from which the venom is collected has been cut off, it is impossible for it to continue producing venom, so it can only be used once, and the resulting scorpion venom dry powder has a relatively high content of impurities; in addition, the scorpion body after venom collection is incomplete and cannot be processed into whole scorpion, which seriously affects its medicinal value and economic value.

2. Manual stimulation method  In order to overcome the shortcomings of the tail-cutting method, that is, to induce scorpions to produce and release venom multiple times without destroying the integrity of the scorpion body, the manual stimulation method can be used to collect scorpion venom.

Scorpions have an instinctive defensive reaction against enemies, that is, when preying or defending against enemies, they release toxin to defend themselves. The manual stimulation method uses this characteristic to collect scorpion venom. Use one clamp to clamp the scorpion at the 5 th segment of the posterior abdomen, and use a thin rod-shaped tool to gently tap its cephalothorax or anterior abdomen; the attacked scorpion will instinctively release venom from the tip of its stinger. Two clamps can also be used for collection: one clamp grips the scorpion at the 5 th segment of the posterior abdomen, and the other clamp grips one pedipalp, and the scorpion will release venom.

Use the manual stimulation method to make the telson sting release venom, and at this time use a test tube to catch the flowing venom. You can also directly clamp the test tube with a clamp and use the mouth of the test tube to directly stimulate the scorpion's tail to obtain venom.

Although the manual stimulation method overcomes the drawbacks of the tail-cutting method, and the venom obtained is clear and transparent, allowing venom collection multiple times without harming the individual, its work efficiency is low, the amount of venom collected is small, and the safety factor is low, so it is not suitable for large-scale scorpion venom extraction.