METHYLENE BLUE PHOTOOXIDATION OF CHYMOTRYPSIN USING A PULSED LASER

The role of the laser in photocatalysis has neither been fully explored nor appreciated. The subject of this presentation is a study of enzyme chemistry with monochromatic, non-ionizing radiation, i.e., laser light. Chymotrypsin solutions, with or without .01% methylene blue, buffered at pH 7.0 in 0.05 M borate were lased with a ruby laser. The enzyme repeatedly lased in the presence of MB was inactivated in a first order fashion. When MB chymotrypsin solutions were fired upon with single impacts and increasing energy, the resultant inactivation curve was sigmoidal. Oxygen consumption was investigated and its role in laser mediated photooxidation is discussed. © 1969.