Primary Processes in the Flash Photolysis of Ovalbumin and Constituents

Abstract

Aqueous solutions of air-free ovalbumin show a transient optical absorption spectrum after flash irradiation into the aromatic band. Comparison experiments with constituent dipeptides, amino acids, and aromatic chromophores show that the transient spectrum is due to photochemical effects on the tyrosine and tryptophan groups. The primary processes proposed are the photoejection of electrons from tyrosine radicals and the breaking of tryptophan radicals in the side chains.