A method for preparing analytically pure sodium dithionite. Dithionite quality and observed nitrogenase-specific activities.
Sodium dithionite (Na2S2O4) is widely used as a reductant in biochemical studies, but has not been available in its pure form. A convenient, detailed procedure is given for the recrystallization of commercial dithionite from 0.1 M NaOH-methanol under anaerobic conditions. Twice-recrystallized dithionite had a purity of 99 +/- 1% by UV spectroscopy (A315) and elemental analysis. The influence of dithionite quality on the apparent reduction activities of the nitrogenase components (Av1 and Av2) from Azotobacter vinelandii was investigated.
McKenna
C E
CE
Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Gutheil
W G
WG
Song
W
W
D003460:Crystallization; D009591:Nitrogenase / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013431:Sulfates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification
D013431:Sulfates; D009591:Nitrogenase; C004850:sodium dithionate