Comparative study of some enzymes in different varieties of fruits

Abstract

Arginase, rhodanese and thiaminase are enzymes often encountered and that play crucial roles in different metabolic pathways. These enzymes were found to be present in different fruits: avocado pear ( Persea americana ), water melon ( Citrullu slanatus ), green exotic apple ( Malus domestica ), red exotic apple ( Malus pumila ), red local apple ( Syzygium malaccense ); pink local apple ( Syzygium samarangense ); sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ), tangerine ( Citrus tangerina ), lime ( Citrus aurantifolia ), pawpaw ( Carica papaya ), banana ( Musa acuminata ), pineapple ( Ananas comosus ) and grape ( Citrus paradisi ). It was found that avocado pear has highest activity of arginase, rhodanese and thiaminase than the rest of the fruits investigated. The specific activity of rhodanese was however highest in water melon while that of arginase was more or less the same in red local apple and avocado pear. Arginase was also seen to vary significantly in the different plant samples with orange having the highest mean value of activity while sweet potato showed no activity. The study provides information on the presence of thiaminase, arginase and rhodanese in the different plants for nutritional purpose. Keywords : Enzymes, arginase, rhodanese, thiaminase, fruits.