Effect of different wavelengths on superoxide dismutase.

INTRODUCTION Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the most important antioxidant enzymes present in all oxygen-metabolizing cells. This enzyme eliminates toxins from our body, so it is vital to understand its action and activity under the influence of different wavelengths. The effects of different wavelengths of light in the visible range on SOD activity were investigated. METHODS Enzyme samples were irradiated with five different wavelengths for chromotization. The absorbance values of the control and treated enzymes were subsequently measured. RESULTS A wavelength of 644 nm (red) showed the maximum increase in absorbance compared with all other color wavelengths used. Yellow showed least absorption. CONCLUSION Red color wavelength actually provides additional energy to the enzyme and hence the activation energy is lowered, compared with untreated enzyme.