Inhibition of photo-induced electron transport and related reactions in isolated chloroplasts by phenol

Phenol inhibits the Hill reaction with several Hill oxidants and the accompanying non-cyclic phosphorylation. It inhibits also pseudocyclic and cyclic phosphorylation. Partial reactions which are dependent on cyclic electron flow are inhibited too, but electron flow from ascorbate via dichlorophenolindophenol to TPN is not. The activity of various benzene and phenol derivatives was compared. It is concluded that the inhibition is a result of interfering with an electron carrier which participates in cyclic and non-cyclic electron flow.