Abstract
Abstract Durian fruit (Durio zibethinus Murr. cv Chanee) were ripened at 12, 27 and 34 °C (85±5% RH). When held at 27 °C, the aril of durians softened rapidly, concomitant with a decrease in alkali-soluble pectin, a marked increase in water-soluble pectin and a large increase in polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15) activity. Pectinesterase (EC 3.1.2.11) activity was high at harvest and changed little. Fruit stored at 34 °C showed the same rate of softening as fruit held at 27 °C, whereas polygalacturonase activity (and the amount of water-soluble pectin) was considerably lower. Durians stored at 12 °C showed virtually no softening and had low polygalacturonase and pectinesterase activities and small changes in water-soluble pectin. It is concluded that there is a positive correlation between softening and pectin degradation. No correlation was found between softening and pectinesterase activity, while the softening is correlated with polygalacturonase activity.
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