Biocurious

/ a biophysics blog

Molecule of the Month: Glucose Oxidase

Posted 2 May 2006 by PhilipJ under

David Goodsell has posted May’s Molecule of the Month—Glucose Oxidase!

Diabetes is a worldwide health problem affecting hundreds of millions of people. Fortunately, with careful management of diet and medication, the many complications of diabetes can be reduced. Part of this treatment includes the monitoring of glucose levels in the blood, so that proper action may be taken if levels get too high. The enzyme glucose oxidase has made glucose measurement fast, easy, and inexpensive.

Glucose oxidase, shown here from PDB entry 1gpe, is a small, stable enzyme that oxidizes glucose into glucolactone, converting oxygen into hydrogen peroxide in the process. Its normal biological function appears to be centered on the peroxide that is formed: hydrogen peroxide is a toxic compound that can be used to kill bacteria. For instance, glucose oxidase is found on the surface of fungi, where it helps protect against bacterial infection, and it is also found in honey, where it acts as a natural preservative.

As usual, more details and high resolution images available here.

  

  1. Elma Rivera    12 June 07    #

    Hi!

    Iwonder if you can tell me how to use Glucose Oxidase as a preservative in a body butter and body lotion. We are in South Africa, and I don’t seem to find anybody who can give me that information.

    What would the percentage be to use in relation to the oils that I use?

    Do you also have any idea what natural product can be used as a solubeliser?

    Your help will be hugely appreciated.

    Best regards
    Elma Rivera


  2. Andre    12 June 07    #

    Hi Elma,

    Why do you want to put glucose oxidase in body lotion? Not that I would know anyway, but the purpose would be important to know to figure out the amount to put in your preparation.

    I also don’t know about natural solubelisers but I know lots of chemists so I’ll ask some of them if they can comment on your question.


  3. ALVARO CENICEROS    31 January 08    #

    PLEASE, I KINDLY REQUEST INFORMATION ON WHERE I COULD FIND THE TECHNIQUES OF GLUCOSE OXIDASE IN BEVERAGES OR FRUITS TO REDUCE OXIGEN CONTENT IN THE HEAD SPACE OF THE CONTAINERS.

    I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER.

    REGARDS

    ALVARO


  4. John owolo    26 August 08    #

    I will like to learn if the glucose oxidase in Biotene toothpaste and mounthwash is harmful since hydrogen peroxide is a by product. Thank you for this opportunity to ask questions.


  5. Dr. Love    24 September 08    #

    Dear John Owolo,
    Hydrogen peroxide is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It actually makes a fantastic, effective mouth wash at 3% (that is, 3 parts hydrogen peroxide + 97 parts water = 100 parts) which is sold commercially in ANY drug store. At 100% (100 parts hydrogen peroxide + 0 parts water) it is a mutagen (damages DNA) and should be avoided. The only place you would ever possibly be in contact with 100% hydrogen peroxide would be in a chemist’s lab. You have nothing to fear about a hydrogen peroxide by-product in mouthwash or toothpaste.


  6. _Arthur    25 September 08    #

    80% pure H2O2 was used by the germans during WW2, for take-off assist jet rockets.

    The “T-Stoff” was extremely dangerous to use, since any spill was likely to start a fire, thu spontaneous combustion.


  7. Joseph    6 October 08    #

    Since hydrogen peroxide is a a by product in glucose oxidation what is it used for in the body?Is it degraded in some way and how?


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