Catalase is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. It is a tetramer of four polypeptides chains containing four porphyrin heme groups that allow the enzyme to react with the hydrogen peroxide. The optimum PH of human catalase is approximately 7 and the optimum temperature is at 37 degree. Both the PH optimum and temperature for other catalases varies depending on the species. Catalase can be inhibited by a flux of O^2- generated in situ by the aerobic xanthine oxidase reaction. This inhibition of catalase by O^2- provides the basis for a synergism between superoxide dismutase and catalase.Such synergisms have been observed in vitro and may be significant in vivo. Catalase is used in the food industry for removing hydrogen peroxide from milk prior to cheese production. Another use is in food wrappers where it prevents food from oxidizing. Catalase is also used in the textile industry, removing hydrogen peroxide from fabrics to make sure the material is peroxide-free.

catalase