catalase Chem.
(ˈkætəleɪs, -z)
Also katalase.
[f. catalysis + -ase.]
Any of the hæm-containing enzymes that catalyse the reduction of hydrogen peroxide.
| 1901 O. Loew in Rep. U.S. Dept. Agric. LXVIII. 12 Since it is clear that the power of catalyzing hydrogen peroxid is not due to any of the known enzyms, it appears justifiable to ascribe this power to a special enzym. The writer proposes to call this catalase. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 20 Aug. 28 Yeast contains..nuclein, zymase, endotrypsin, and katalase. 1911 Encycl. Brit. XIX. 921/1 Certain oxydases, catalases and de-amidizing enzymes..play an important part in the various metabolic processes. 1958 New Biol. XXVII. 118 Hydrogen peroxide, a powerful poison against which most organisms—but not Ascaris—are protected by an enzyme, catalase, which destroys it. |