GENERATION OF ELECTRONICALLY EXCITED TRIPLET SPECIES IN BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS

Triplet carbonyl species are generated in high yields by the peroxidase(oxidase)-catalyzed oxidation of appropriate substrates. As inferred from sensitized emission and induced photochemical reactions, these enzyme-generated excited species can efficiently transfer their energy to appropriate acceptors. The results obtained open the possibility of understanding some of the multiple biological roles that peroxidases play and provide a rationale for the apparent occurrence in vivo of photochemical-like processes in the absence of light.