A vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidase in the marine red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty displays clear substrate specificity

Bromoperoxidase (BPO) activity was initially detected in marine macroalgae belonging to the Solieriaceae family (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta). The enzyme from Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty was dependent on the vanadate ion, and displayed a distinct substrate spectrum from previously reported vanadium-dependent BPOs of marine macroalgae. The halogenated product, dibromoacetaldehyde, that accumulated in K. alvarezii was additionally determined.