THE enzyme peroxidase has commonly been believed to be present in all animal tissues. It appears that no real evidence to this effect has yet been presented and the assumption seems to be based on early crude experiments and on the results of histological studies. The latter depend on the colours produced in fixed sections by strong hydrogen peroxide with benzidine, p-phenylenediamine and similar reagents. Such colours will, however, be given by any haematin compound, as for instance haemoglobin, in acid solution with strong H102. We would like to distinguish between the enzyme and other types of catalyst which promote oxidations by H202. The enzyme shows its furll activity in neutral solution and at concentrations of H202 which are possible within the organism. Under these conditions the thermostable catalysts (see below) have less than one-ten-thou- sandth of the activity of a concentrated enzyme preparation.
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Bancroft et al. (1934) studied this question.