STUDIES ON THE OXIDATION-REDUCTION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND METHEMOGLOBIN : II. THE OXIDATION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND REDUCTION OF METHEMOGLOBIN BY ANAEROBIC BACILLI AND BY STERILE PLANT TISSUE.

The oxidation-reduction systems of anaerobic bacteria manifest their action upon the blood pigments by marked deoxygenation of oxyhemoglobin, prompt reduction of methemoglobin to hemoglobin, and to a less marked degree oxidation of hemoglobin to methemoglobin. The action of sterile plant tissue upon oxyhemoglobin, hemoglobin, and methemoglobin has been studied. The oxidations and reductions of the blood pigments which are induced by sterile plant tissue are similar to the reactions which are brought about by pneumococci and by anaerobic bacteria.