Catalysis of the sorbic acid–thiol reaction by bovine serum albumin

Summary The effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA, 0–4%, w/v) in increasing the rate of reaction of sorbic acid with mercaptoethanol, mercaptoacetic acid, cysteine and glutathione (pH 5.0, 40°C) is comparable to that of the nonionic surfactant, Tween 80. For cysteine and glutathione, BSA has a similar effect to that of the cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, but is less effective for mercaptoethanol and mercaptoacetic acid. These preliminary observations are interpreted in terms of interactions between the reactants and nonionic environments on the BSA molecule.