Nature and Distribution of Glycolic Acid Oxidase in Plants.

Abstract
Glycolic acid oxidase, which oxidizes glycolic and lactic acids, was demonstrated in crude juice from the leaves of plants representing 16 families. Inhibition of glycolic acid oxidase by iodoacetate, iodoacetamide, phenylmercuric nitrate, and p-chloromer-curibenzoate constitutes evidence that the enzyme requires sulfhydryl groups for its activity. Although etiolated plants were not devoid of glycolic acid oxidase, their enzymatic activity was greatly enhanced by illumination.