Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of superoxide dismutase and the superoxide dismutase so obtained. The superoxide dismutase obtained is extracted from marine bacterial strains and is characterized in that it comprises non-hematinic iron or copper and zinc, it has a molecular weight of about 33,000 to 40,000 .+-. 2500 and a pHi or isoelectric point of about 4 to 8.2 and it has maximum enzyme activity at a pH of about 8.5 to 10 with an optimum at about 9 to 9.5 and the use of said superoxide dismutases for the protection of oxidizable systems from auto-oxidation.