REDUCTION OF FLAVIN MONONUCLEOTIDE AT THE AQUEOUS-VERTICAL-BAR-ORGANIC SOLUTION INTERFACE IN THE ABSENCE AND PRESENCE OF OXYGEN

The electron transfer at the interface between an aqueous solution (W) containing flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and an organic solution (Org) containing decamethylferrocene in the absence and presence of oxygen w as studied by polarography. The reduction of FMN in the absence of oxy gen at the W/Org interface differed from that observed by voltammetry at metal or carbon electrodes. The reduction of FMN proceeds as a one- electron process at the W/Org interface, whereas a two-electron proces s is observed at the metal or carbon electrodes. In the presence of ox ygen, the reduction of oxygen by chemical reaction with the reduced FM N was observed at the W/Org interface. Mechanisms of reduction process es of FMN and oxygen at the W/Org interface are discussed. (C) 1997 El sevier Science S.A.