The Bio Reaction

Aminolevulinic Acid and IPTG

Oxygen Production

Having successfully transformed the Cld- gene into our E. coli chassis, we progressed to test the capability of the Chlorite Dismutase enzyme to convert chlorite ions (ClO₂⁻) into the useful byproduct, oxygen gas (O₂) and chloride ions in solution (Cl-). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether or not the enzyme synthesized by the chassis was functional. Three trials of this investigation were conducted, where solid Sodium Chlorite (NaClO₂), at concentrations of 0.1M and 0.2M, were introduced into two separate volumes of transformed E.coli cultures suspended in 50 mL of LB Broth. The system was closed immediately after the addition of the enzyme’s chlorite substrate and the oxygen produced by enzymatic action was captured with a specifically allocated balloon which the height of was measured using a ruler. The results of this investigation will determine if our construct does work properly and roughly indicate the experimental yield to expected.