The action of o-dihydric phenols in the hydroxylation of p-coumaric acid by a phenolase from leaves of spinach beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

1. Under defined conditions, the hydroxylation of p-coumaric acid catalysed by a phenolase from leaves of spinach beet (Beta vulgaris L.) was observed to develop its maximum rate only after a lag period. 2. By decreasing the reaction rate with lower enzyme concentrations or by increasing it with higher concentrations of reductants, the length of the lag period was inversely related to the maximum rate subsequently developed. 3. Low concentrations of caffeic acid or other o-dihydric phenols abolished this lag period. With caffeic acid, the rate of hydroxylation was independent of the reductant employed. 4. Hydroxylation was inhibited by diethyldithiocarbamate, but with low inhibitor concentrations hydroxylation recovered after a lag period. This lag could again be abolished by the addition of high concentrations of caffeic acid or other o-dihydric phenols. 5. Catechol oxidase activity showed no lag period, and did not recover from diethyldithiocarbamate inhibition. 6. The purified enzyme contained 0.17-0.33% copper; preparations with the highest specific activity were found to have the highest copper content. 7. The results are interpreted to suggest that the oxidation of o-dihydric phenols converts the enzymic copper into a species catalytically active in hydroxylation. This may represent the primary function for the catechol oxidase activity of the phenolase complex. The electron donors are concerned mainly, but not entirely, in the reduction of o-quinones produced in this reaction.