Pectolytic Enzyme Activity in Various Parts of the Cucumber Plant and Fruit

The cucumber plant and fruit (Cucumis sativus) have been found to be a source of a pectolytic enzyme as measured by a loss in viscosity of a pectin solution. 2. The enzyme of the cucumber was strongly active in the seeds, staminate and pollinated pistillate flowers, and ripe fruit but was not found in the unpollinated flowers, leaves, petioles, and stems. 3. Enzyme activity was weak to negative in the eight stages of cucumber development of immature fruit. 4. Pectolytic enzyme activity was absent in the green tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) including the embryo with flowers and six stages of green-fruit development. 5. High activity of the enzyme was found in the red ripe tomato fruit.