DETERMINATION OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE-LIKE ACTIVITY IN SOME DIVALENT METAL SACCHARINATES

The superoxide-dismutase-like activity of a series of divalent metal s accharinates of general stoichiometry [MII(SaC)2(H2O)4] . 2H2O (with M (II) = Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn) has been investigated using the nitroblue te trazolium O2- reduction assay. The results show that all these complex es possess the capability to dismutate the superoxide anion generated in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. Interestingly, the greatest a ctivity is shown by the corresponding copper complex. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for native superoxide dismu tase, which was tested under the same experimental conditions.