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The non-enzymic reduction of nitrite by benzyl viologen (free-radical) in the presence and absence of ammonium sulphate

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Summary

Some similarity is inferred between the reaction of reduced benzyl viologen with undissociated nitrous acid, which is significant at pH values below 7 and that with the undissociated product of nitrite ion and ammonium sulphate; presumably ammonium nitrite. This would explain why the presence of ammonium sulphate appreciably offsets the effects of decreasing pH and also the exponential relationship between rate of nitrite loss and ammonium sulphate concentration.

There are other features of the reaction which cannot be explained at present, especially with regard to the degree of reduction of benzyl viologen. It is nevertheless apparent that a complex non-enzymic reaction yielding several products occurs when ammonium sulphate is present and that the presence of likely residual quantities after its use in enzyme purification may cause serious errors in enzyme assay.

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Author notes

  1. Allan R. J. Eaglesham

    Present address: Rothamsted Experimental Horticulture Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Station, University of Bristol, BS18 9AF, Long Ashton, Bristol, England

    Eric J. Hewitt, Douglas M. James & Allan R. J. Eaglesham

Authors
  1. Eric J. Hewitt
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  2. Douglas M. James
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  3. Allan R. J. Eaglesham
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Hewitt, E.J., James, D.M. & Eaglesham, A.R.J. The non-enzymic reduction of nitrite by benzyl viologen (free-radical) in the presence and absence of ammonium sulphate. Mol Cell Biochem 6, 101–105 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01732004

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