Alcohol Oxidase
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Alcohol oxidase is an enzyme that oxidizes ethyl alcohol to acetaldehyde and acetic acid, discovered in acetic bacteria and later found in animal tissues, particularly the liver. It also oxidizes other alcohols and compounds, with optimal conditions at 50-55°C and pH 7.5-8.0.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ALCOHOL OXIDASE, alcoholase, an enzyme that oxidizes ethyl alcohol to acetaldehyde and acetic acid, discovered by Buchner and Gaunt in acetic bacteria (Mycoderma aceti); Battelli and Stern found it in animal tissues, predominantly in the liver. Besides ethyl alcohol, A. oxidizes methyl, propyl, isobutyl, amyl, and glycol alcohols, acetaldehyde, and formic acid. In the absence of oxygen or suitable hydrogen acceptors, A. is inactive. The optimal conditions for A. activity are a temperature of 50-55°C and pH = 7.5-8.0. In the tissues of animals accustomed to alcohol, the amount of A. is not increased.
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Cite this page
“Alcohol Oxidase.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/alcohol-oxidase/