Peroxidase and Polyphenoloxidase Activities and Phenol Content in Fruit of Eggplant and Their Relationship to Infestation by Shoot and Fruit Borer

Abstract

The shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) does severe damage to eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). In order to predict the level of fruit infestation and perhaps correlate it to specific biochemical characteristics, the basis of resistance against the shoot and fruit borer in eggplant was investigated. Seven cultivars of eggplant were sampled at 10, 15, 20, and 25 days after flowering (DAF) for peroxidase (PO) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and at 15, 20, and 25 DAF for phenol content. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that there was a lack of correlation between fruit infestation and PO activity. However, a correlation between fruit infestation; PPO activity at 15, 20, and 25 DAF; and phenol content at 15 and 20 DAF was observed. Principal components analysis indicated that BCB-38 was the best performing cultivar and can likely be used as improved genetic material in future breeding programs.