Partial characterization of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in blackberry fruits

A partial characterization of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in blackberry fruits is described. Two cultivars of blackberry (Wild and Thornless) were analyzed for POD and PPO activities. Stable and highly active POD and PPO extracts were obtained using insoluble poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and Triton X-100 in 0.05 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.5, buffer. Blackberry POD and PPO activities have a pH optimum of 6.5, in a reaction mixture of 0.2 M sodium phosphate. Optimal POD activity was found with 3% o-dianisidine. Maximum PPO activity was found with catechol (catecholase activity) followed by 4-methylcatechol. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of blackberry extracts under non-denaturing conditions resolved in various bands. In the POD extracts of Wild fruits, there was only one band with a mobility of 0.12. In the Thornless POD extracts there were three well-resolved bands, with R-f values of 0.63, 0.36, and 0.09. Both the Wild and Thornless blackberry cultivars produced a single band of PPO, with R-f values of 0.1 for Wild and 0.06 for Thornless.