Crystal Irradiation Stimulation of Enzyme Reactivity: An Explanation

In 1968, Sorin Comorosan first reported a phenomenon wherein irradiation of the substrate of an enzyme reaction, in the crystalline state, for a specific number of seconds could lead to an enhanced aqueous solution reaction rate for the enzyme(up to 30%). Dependence on crystal irradiation time was found to be oscillatory with a fixed period. The basis for this unusual phenomenon has remained a mystery. Previously unreported experimental results are presented which demonstrate, for the LDH / pyruvate reaction, that the identity of the crystalline material irradiated is, largely, inconsequential. It is proposed here that the irradiation procedure drives oscillatory reactions involving atmospheric gases adsorbed on the crystals and that these photoproducts, or related dark-reaction species, when dissolved, function as enzyme cofactors.