Superoxide dismutase in Bacillus popilliae, a catalaseless aerobe

Bacillus popilliae, a cytochrome-containing aerobic organism that lacks catalase and peroxidase, was examined for superoxide dismutase activity. The activity was quite high relative to a wide variety of organisms previously surveyed and was induced by oxygen. No correlation could be made between superoxide dismutase activity and the unexplained death of this organism after completion of exponential growth.