Microbial oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons. II. Hydroxylation of alkanes and epoxidation of alkenes by cell-free particulate fractions of methane-utilizing bacteria.

Cell-free particulate fractions derived from methylotrophic bacteria catalyze the oxygen- and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent epoxidation of alkenes and hydroxylation of alkanes. Evidence presented indicates that the hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions are catalyzed by the same or a similar metal-containing monooxygenase.