Electrode Potentials of Hermidin, the Chromogen of Mercurialis perennis

Abstract

Mercurialis contains a chromogen, hermidin which undergoes the following reactions: [image] Within the plant hermidin exists in the reduced form to the extent of not less than 95%. Cyanohermidin is a H acceptor of the same type as methylene blue and quinone. It may possibly function within the living cell not only as an efficient H transferrer but as an active O carrier. The electrode potentials of hermidin-cyano-hermidin were studied at p H 2.0-8.0, and the system cyanohermidin-oxidation product was studied at p H 7.0-8.0.