Rate of catalytic oxidation and decomposition of NADH by graphite in aqueous solutions

Abstract

AbstractGraphites of different manufacture and origin exert positive but different accelerations on the rate of oxidation of NADH to NAD+ in aqueous solution; different proportions of the oxidized form of NAD retain enzymatic activity depending on the nature of the graphite. Oxidative pretreatment of the graphite surfaces increases the rates of NADH oxidation, but subsequent silanization of the surfaces to attach alkylamine groups causes the rates to decrease. The experimental results suggest the presence of at least two types of sites on graphite surfaces: One very reactive site which produces a high percentage of an enzymatically inactive reaction product of NADH and is itself deactivated during the course of reaction, and another type of site which promotes the oxidation of NADH to enzymatically active NAD+ in high yields.