A kinetic study of the autoxidation of tryptophan at 100°C in the pH range 2-7

Abstract

Tryptophan is shown to be unexpectedly labile to autoxidation at 100ºC in the pH range 2-7, with the maximum rate of decomposition, which occurs at pH 5.3, being of the same order as that observed in strongly basic and acidic solution. Protonation of both the indole and carboxyl segments of the molecule is shown to be involved in the reaction.