Subject: In the guiacol-peroxidase reaction, is guaiacol an actual substrate ?

For years we've been doing the guaiacol/peroxidase reaction in our general 
biol. lab. After doing a www search, now I am wondering about whether we are 
testing catalase or peroxidase. How can we tell? Also, I've seen O2 as a 
product of the peroxidase rxn in some books, and an oxidized organic product 
(but no O2) in others. Which is correct? In some documents I found the reaction 
of guaiacol with peroxidase forming tetraguaiacol and water, but I am not sure 
whether guiacol actually binds to the enzyme or whether its oxidation is a 
separate step that occurs after oxygen is formed. Any info about all this?

Re: In the guiacol-peroxidase reaction, is guaiacol an actual substrate ?