The dependence of crude papain yields on different collection (‘tapping’) procedures for papaya latex

Abstract

AbstractThe yields of fresh papaya latex, dry latex (crude papain) and proteolytic activity were studied with respect to fruit age (1.5–3 months); sex of the tree (those which produce fruit: female and hermaphrodite); time (5:30 a.m.‐2:00 p.m.) of latex collection; pattern and frequency of fruit incisions. The yields from 250 randomly selected trees (750 fruits) were investigated under these different conditions. Yields of fresh latex are frequently unreliable guides to yields of proteolytic activity. In contrast to the literature recommendations, the yields of crude papain from female and hermaphrodite trees and during different periods of the day were similar. The proteolytic activity differs significantly with time of collection only with hermaphrodite trees. The proteolytic activity of hermaphrodite crude papain is usually less than that from females (under some conditions only 60% of that from females). Yields of crude papain were higher in older fruits (2.5–3 months) from both sexes. The proteolytic activity of the crude papain was highest in the younger fruits (1.5–2 months) from female trees (30% higher than from older fruits); these activity differences with age were not significant with hermaphrodite trees. No significant differences in crude papain yields were encountered using three or six incisions per fruit at weekly intervals. The optimum procedure is to tap 2.5–3‐month‐old fruit of both sexes with three incisions between dawn and the start of rains in early afternoon, at about 4‐day intervals.