The stimulatory effect of catalase on the formation in vitro of ethylene by an ethylene-forming enzyme purified from Penicillium digitatum

Abstract

Abstract The dependence of the rate of formation of ethylene on the concentration of an ethylene-forming enzyme was determined with a purified preparation of the ethylene-forming enzyme from Penicillium digitatum IFO 9372. The relationship was n ot linear. When catalase and bovine serum albumin were added to the reaction mixture, the rate of formation of ethylene was directly proportional to the concentration of the enzyme. The non-linearity of the reaction, in the absence of these additives, is probably due to the hydroxyl radical ions (OH ) produced by the Fenton reaction which occurs in the reaction mixture when ferrous ions and oxygen are present together under reducing conditions.