Degradation of fullerene C₆₀ by human myeloperoxidase and some reaction products

The biodegradation of the fullerene molecule C₆₀ under the action of the human myeloperoxidase enzyme accompanied by a complete loss of the topology of the fullerene core. Analysis of this reaction mixture using UV and FTIR spectroscopy, chromatographic and mass spectrometry methods showed that the degradation proceeds without the formation of significant amounts of hydroxylated compounds. Among other intermediate compounds aromatic compounds were detected.