On the influence of naphthoquinones on the respiration and light emission of photobacterium phosphoreum

Abstract
The influence of various naphthoquinones on the light emission and respiration of Photobacterium phosphoreum has been studied. Minute amounts of some of these compounds strongly inhibited the light emission. It appeared that this inhibition was connected with the redox potential of the quinones used and due to a dehydrogenating action of the naphthoquinones on the luciferin or on a hydrogen donator ultimately active in the formation of this compound. Since KCN eliminates the inhibition of the naphthoquinones, we concluded that the naphthohydroquinones formed were dehydrogenated again with the aid of a KCN‐sensitive catalyst. These observations give rise to a modified scheme for the respiration of the luminous bacteria.

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