Polyphenol oxidase activity and browning of three avocado varieties

A comparison between the in vitro total and specific activity of polyphenol oxidase of three avocado varieties, Fuerte, Horeshim and Lerman, showed clear differences that were correlated with the in vivo rate of browning of the corresponding freshly cut mature fruit; Fuerte had the highest values, followed by Horeshim and then Lerman. A good correlation existed between the PPO activity in the crude homogenate of the fresh fruit and the crude enzyme extracted from the acetone powder prepared from each variety. The possibility that the relatively low PPO activity in the crude enzyme of the Lerman avocado was due to the presence of an inhibitor and to factor(s) degrading the enzyme, or that the relatively high activity of the Fuerte enzyme was due to an activator, was tested in various ways and ruled out. It was therefore concluded that the differences in the rate of browning of the three avocado varieties studied were directly related to the PPO activities as expressed in the crude enzyme fraction.