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What are the main properties and characteristics of snake venom?

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Snake venom is a toxic protein and polypeptide substance containing various enzymes secreted by venomous snakes, and it is also the substance that causes poisoning reactions after a venomous snake bites a person. Fresh snake venom is a somewhat fishy-smelling, egg-white-like viscous liquid, appearing yellow, pale yellow, green, or even colorless. When fresh, it shows a neutral or weakly acidic reaction; after standing for a while, it may become alkaline. Its water content is 50%-75%, and its specific gravity is between 1.030 and 1.080. Fresh venom readily produces foam when exposed to air, and at room temperature it easily spoils and deteriorates after 24 hours, losing its toxicity. In a refrigerator it can be preserved for 15-30 days, and at 40°C it can be stored for a longer time. After vacuum drying or freeze-drying treatment, snake venom can be preserved at room temperature for 20-30 years, but its toxicity intensity and the activity of some enzymes will decrease to varying degrees, and it can still dissolve in water. Snake venom loses its toxicity after exposure to ultraviolet light and heating. Strong acids, strong bases, and heavy metal salts, which can precipitate and denature proteins, can all destroy snake venom. Snake venom is also easily decomposed and destroyed by oxidants, reducing agents, proteolytic enzymes, and the like, thereby losing its toxicity. After formaldehyde treatment, it also loses its toxicity, but its antigenicity can still be retained.

Snake venom is a toxic protein and polypeptide substance containing various enzymes secreted by venomous snakes, and it is also the substance that causes poisoning reactions after a venomous snake bites a person. Fresh snake venom is a somewhat fishy-smelling, egg-white-like viscous liquid, appearing yellow, pale yellow, green, or even colorless. When fresh, it shows a neutral or weakly acidic reaction; after standing for a while, it may become alkaline. Its water content is 50%-75%, and its specific gravity is between 1.030 and 1.080. Fresh venom readily produces foam when exposed to air, and at room temperature it easily spoils and deteriorates after 24 hours, losing its toxicity. In a refrigerator it can be preserved for 15-30 days, and at 40°C it can be stored for a longer time. After vacuum drying or freeze-drying treatment, snake venom can be preserved at room temperature for 20-30 years, but its toxicity intensity and the activity of some enzymes will decrease to varying degrees, and it can still dissolve in water. Snake venom loses its toxicity after exposure to ultraviolet light and heating. Strong acids, strong bases, and heavy metal salts, which can precipitate and denature proteins, can all destroy snake venom. Snake venom is also easily decomposed and destroyed by oxidants, reducing agents, proteolytic enzymes, and the like, thereby losing its toxicity. After formaldehyde treatment, it also loses its toxicity, but its antigenicity can still be retained.

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