<b>THE EFFECTS OF EXOGENOUS CATALASE ON BROAD‐SPECTRUM NEAR‐UV (300‐400 nm) TREATED</b><i>Escherichia coli</i> CELLS

Abstract

Abstract —Catalase incorporated into plating medium protects against inactivation and mutagenesis by broad‐spectrum near‐ultraviolet wavelength (300‐400 nm) (NUV) radiation in strains of Escherichia coll . Plating medium containing catalase does not provide protection against inactivation by wavelengths in the FUV region. Catalase added to the cell suspension during or added immediately after NUV exposure also protects against inactivation. The protection provided by catalase suggests a possible role for hydrogen peroxide in the processes of inactivation and mutagenesis by broad‐spectrum NUV.