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L-Amino-acid Oxidase, a Bactericidal System

Abstract

THE antibacterial activity of glucose oxidase1–3 and xanthine oxidase4,5 was reported twenty-five years ago. The antibacterial effect was attributed to the H2O2 generated during aerobic oxidation of an appropriate substrate. Considering the potency and broad spectrum of the antibacterial action of these enyzmes, it is surprising that attention has not been focused on them or on other flavoproteins as agents in host defence. In this report, the bactericidal action of L-amino-acid oxidase is examined.

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SKARNES, R. L-Amino-acid Oxidase, a Bactericidal System. Nature 225, 1072–1073 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/2251072a0

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