CYTOCHROME-C AS A BIOCATALYST FOR THE OXIDATION OF THIOPHENES AND ORGANOSULFIDES

Cytochrome c from horse heart is able to catalyze the oxidation of som e heterocyclic sulfur compounds and sulfides in a medium containing 10 % of water-miscible organic solvent. The kinetic constants of the diff erent substrates were determined and the oxidation products were analy zed. Cytochrome c oxidation of organosulfur compounds produced the res pective sulfoxides. In addition to hydrogen peroxide, some peroxides a re electron acceptors in the reaction. 3-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid show ed the highest maximum oxidation rate. The activation energy and stabi lity of cytochrome c were also determined, and the possibility of asph altene modification using cytochrome c is discussed.