Biochemical characterization and process stability of polyphenoloxidase extracted from Victoria grape (Vitis vinifera ssp. Sativa)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from Victoria grapes (Vitis vinifera ssp. Sativa) grown in South Africa and its biochemical characteristics were studied. Optimum pH and temperature for grape PPO activity were pH 5.0 and T = 25 °C with 10 mM catechol in McIlvaine buffer as substrate. PPO showed activity using the following substances: catechol, 4 methyl catechol, d, l-DOPA, (+) catechin and chlorogenic acid. K_m and V_max values were 52.6 ± 0.00436 mM and 653 ± 24.0 OD_400 nm/min in the case of 10 mM catechol as a substrate. Eight inhibitors were tested in this study and the most effective inhibitors were found to be ascorbic acid, l-cysteine and sodium metabisulfite. Kinetic studies showed that the thermal inactivation of Victoria grape PPO followed first-order kinetics, with an activation energy, E_a = 225 ± 13.5 of kJ/mol. Both in semipurified extract and in grape juice, PPO showed a pronounced high pressure stability.     

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Ferula sp.

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of several Ferula sp. was extracted and purified through (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, dialysis, and gel filtration chromatography. Leaf and stem extracts were used for the determination of enzyme properties. Optimum conditions, for pH, temperature, and ionic strength were determined. The best substrates of PPO were catechol for leaf and (−) epicatechin for stem samples. Optimum pH and temperature were determined. K_M and V_max values were 2.34 × 10⁻³ M and 8541 EU/ml for catechol, and 2.89 × 10⁻³ M and 5308 EU/ml for (−) epicatechin. The most effective inhibitor was sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate for leaf samples and sodium metabisulphite for stem samples. Both inhibitors indicated competitive reactions. PPO showed irreversible denaturation after 40 min at 60 °C.     

Polyphenol oxidase from bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) and its role in anthocyanin degradation

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc. cv. Biqi), and its partial biochemical characteristics were studied. Stable and highly active PPO extracts were obtained using insoluble polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) in sodium phosphate, pH 7.0, buffer. The highest PPO activity was observed in the ripe fruits. Optimum pH and temperature for bayberry PPO activity were pH 6.0 and T = 30 °C with 0.1 M catechol as substrate. PPO showed activity using the substrates of catechol, gallic acid and protocatechuic acid, but no activity with the substrates (+)-catechin, p-coumaric acid or caffeic acid. K_m and V_max values were 313 mM and 3.26ΔOD/min/g FW, respectively, with catechol as the substrate. Bayberry PPO did not act directly on cyanidin 3-glucoside but the rate of anthocyanin degradation was stimulated by the addition of gallic acid.     

Quantification and characterisation of polyphenol oxidase from vanilla bean

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of Vanilla planifolia Andrews beans was extracted and purified through ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis, and gel filtration chromatography. PPO activity was measured by improved UV technique using 4-methylcatechol and catechol as substrates increasing substantial sensitivity of previous procedure. The optimum pH and temperature for PPO activity were found to be 3.0 and 3.4 and 37 °C, respectively. K_m and V_max values were found to be 10.6 mM/L and 13.9 OD₃₀₀ min⁻¹ for 4-methylcatechol and 85 mM/L and 107.2 OD₃₀₀ min⁻¹ for catechol. In an inhibition test, the most potent inhibitor was found to be 4-hexylresorcinol followed by ascorbic acid. The thermal inactivation curve was biphasic. Activation energy (E_a) and z values were calculated as 92.10 kJ mol⁻¹ and 21 °C, respectively.     

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from butter lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was isolated from butter lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) grown in Poland and its biochemical characteristic were studied. PPO from butter lettuce showed a higher affinity to 4-methylcatechol than to catechol. The K_M and V_max values were: 3.20 ± 0.01 mM and 4081 ± 8 U/ml min⁻¹ for catechol and 1.00 ± 0.09 mM and 5405 ± 3 U/ml min⁻¹ for 4-methylcatechol. The optimum pHs of the enzyme were found to be 5.5 using catechol and 6.8 using 4-methylcatechol as substrate. The enzyme had a temperature optimum of 35 °C. The enzyme was relatively stable at 30 °C and 40 °C. The times required for 50% inactivation of activity at 50 °C, 60 °C and 70 °C were found to be about 30, 20 and 5 min, respectively. Inhibitors used for investigation in this study were placed in relative order of inhibition: p-hydroxybenzoic acid > glutathione ≈ ascorbic acid > l-cysteine > EDTA > citric acid. The enzyme eluted in the chromatographic separations was analyzed electrophoretically under denaturating conditions. The analysis revealed a single band on the SDS–PAGE which corresponded to a molecular weight of 60 kDa.     

Purification and kinetic characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Barbados cherry (Malpighia glabra L.)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of Barbados cherry was extracted and purified through ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and affinity chromatography. The purification factor for PPO was 60% with 8.3% yield. The enzyme was characterized for thermal stability, pH and kinetic parameters. The molecular mass of PPO was approximately the sum of 52 and 38 kDa estimated by SDS–PAGE. The purity was checked by native PAGE, showing a single prominent band. The optimum pH was 7.2. The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 40 °C and was relatively stable at 60 °C, with 55% loss of activity. Sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (SDDC), l-cysteine and ascorbate significantly inhibited PPO activity. 4-Methyl catechol and catechol were found to be efficient diphenolic substrates for cherry PPO, considering the _Vmax/_Km$V_{\text{max}}/K_{\mathrm{m}}$ ratio. The data obtained in this study may help to understand cherry fruit browning.     

Polyphenol oxidase activity,phenolic acid composition and browning in cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale, L.) after processing

This study describes the extraction and characterisation of cashew apple polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the effect of wounding on cashew apple phenolic acid composition, PPO activity and fruit browning. Purification factor was 59 at 95% (NH₄)₂SO₄ saturation. For PPO activity, the optimal substrate was catechol and the optimum pH was 6.5. PPO K_m and V_max values were 18.8 mM and 13.6 U min⁻¹ ml⁻¹, respectively. Ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium sulphite and sodium metabisulphite decreased PPO activity, while sodium chloride increased PPO activity. Wounding at 2 °C and 27 °C for 24 h increased PPO activity but storage at 40 °C reduced PPO activity. Gallic acid, protocatechuic acid and cinnamic acid (free and conjugate) were identified in cashew apple juice. Cutting and subsequent storage at 40 °C hydrolysed cinnamic acid. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural content in cashew apple juice increased after injury and storage at higher temperatures, indicating non-enzymatic browning.     

Purification and characterisation of a polyphenol oxidase from Boletus erythropus and investigation of its catalytic efficiency in selected organic solvents

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was purified from Boletus erythropus using a Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-amino benzoic acid affinity column. Optimum pH and temperature were found to be 8.0 and 20 °C, respectively, using 4-methylcatechol as a substrate. The enzyme was extremely stable between pH 3.0 and 9.0 after 24 h incubation at 4 °C. B. erythropus PPO was also quite stable between 10 and 30 °C after 4 h incubation. The K_m and V_max values were calculated as 2.8 mM and 1430 U/mg protein by Lineweaver–Burk curve, respectively. The enzyme activity was inhibited by sodium metabisulfite, ascorbic acid, sodium azide and benzoic acid. It was seen that the mushroom PPO was an effective biocatalyst in selected organic solvents, such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane and toluene, when catechin was used as a substrate. All data support that B. erythropus has a highly active PPO, possessing similar biochemical and kinetic characteristics to other plant PPOs.     

Biochemical properties and potential endogenous substrates of polyphenoloxidase from chufa (Eleocharis tuberosa) corms

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) was partially purified from chufa corms through ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. Biochemical properties of chufa PPO were analysed using exogenous substrate catechol. Optimal pH and temperature for PPO activity were 5 and 45 °C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt and l-cysteine could not inhibit the PPO activity. However, sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate exhibited the strongest inhibiting effect, followed by ascorbic acid and anhydrous sodium sulphite. Except for K⁺, other metal ions such as Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Na⁺ accelerated the enzymatic reaction between catechol and PPO. Kinetic analysis showed that the apparent K_m and V_max values were around 10.77 mM and 82 units/ml min. In addition, (−)-gallocatechin gallate, (−)-epicatechin gallate and (+)-catechin gallate isolated and identified from chufa corms were supposed to be the potential endogenous PPO substrates due to their ortho-diphenolic or pyrogallolic structures. These polyphenols might be catalysed by PPO, resulting in the browning of chufa corms after fresh-cut processing.     

Properties of polyphenol oxidase from Anamur banana (Musa cavendishii)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted from Anamur banana, grown in Turkey, and its characteristics were studied. The optimum temperature for banana PPO activity was found to be 30 °C. The pH-activity optimum was 7.0. From the thermal inactivation studies, in the range 60–75 °C, the half-life values of the enzyme ranged from 7.3 to 85.6 min. The activation energy (E_a) and Z values were calculated to be 155 kJ mol⁻¹ and 14.2 °C, respectively. K_m and V_max values were 8.5 mM and 0.754 OD₄₁₀ min⁻¹, respectively. Of the inhibitors tested, ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulphite were the most effective.     

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Napoleon grape

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from Napoleon grape was isolated using a two-phase partitioning approach with Triton X-114. The enzyme was purified in a latent form and could be optimally activated by the presence of 0.2% of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) at pH 6.0. In the absence of SDS, the enzyme showed maximum activity at acid pH (3.0). The enzyme was kinetically characterized at pH 3.0 and pH 6.0 in the presence of 0.2% of SDS, using 4-tert-butylcatechol (TBC) as a substrate. The V_m/K_M ratio showed that Napoleon grape PPO presents greater affinity for TBC at acid pH (0.1 min⁻¹) that at pH 6.0 in the presence of SDS (0.02 min⁻¹). The enzyme was highly heat stable, 80% of activity remaining at 70 °C. Selected inhibitors were also studied, tropolone being the most active with a K_i value of 27 μM at acid pH and pH 6.0 in the presence of 0.2% SDS.     

Characterisation and tissue distribution of polyphenol oxidase of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris)

Characterisation and tissue distribution of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was studied in deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) post mortem. PPO activity was the highest in the carapace, followed by that in the abdomen exoskeleton, cephalotorax, pleopods and telson. No PPO activity was found in the abdomen muscle and in the pereopods and maxillipeds using the enzymatic assay. Storage of whole shrimps and of the different organs showed that melanosis (blackening) required the presence of the cephalotorax to be initiated, indicating that its development depends on other factors in addition to the PPO levels. Further characterisation was carried out in extracts partly purified using 40–70% ammonium sulfate fractionation. The enzyme had the highest activity at pH 4.5 and was most stable at pH 4.5 and 9.0. No clear maximum was observed in the 15–60 °C range but the higher stability was achieved at 30–35 °C. Apparent kinetic constants in the partly purified PPO from carapace were K_M = 1.85 mM and V_max = 38.5 U/mg of protein, pointing to a high affinity and reactivity of the enzyme when assayed with DOPA. Electrophoretic mobility was studied in native PAGE and non-reducing SDS–PAGE followed by staining with DOPA. Approximate MW of 500 kDa and 200 kDa were observed, respectively. These two forms could correspond to aggregates of minor PPO subunits that could not be resolved in these electrophoretic systems. The peptide mass fingerprinting obtained by MALDI-TOF analysis showed some peptides whose homology with hemocyanins and different PPO subunit precursors has already been demonstrated in the same species.     

Kinetic characterisation and thermal inactivation study of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase from table grape (Crimson Seedless)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) were extracted from a table grape (Crimson Seedless) using Triton X-114 and characterized using spectrophotometric methods. Both PPO and POD were activated by acid shock. However, in the presence of the anionic detergent sodium dodecil sulphate (SDS), PPO was activated whereas POD was inactivated. The enzymes were kinetically characterized and both followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, although with different values of their kinetic parameters. The V_m/K_m ratio showed that Crimson Seedless grape PPO presents a similar affinity for 4-tert-butyl-catechol (TBC) whether activated by acid shock (0.018 min⁻¹) or SDS (0.023 min⁻¹). With regards to POD, the K_m and V_m values for 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazolinesulphonic acid) (ABTS) were 0.79 mM and 1.20 μM/min, respectively. In the case of H₂O₂, the K_m and V_m value were 0.4 mM and 0.93 μM/min, respectively. PPO and POD showed similar thermostability, losing >90% of relative activity after only 5 min of incubation at 78 °C and 75 °C, respectively. In addition, PPO´s activation energy was similar to that obtained for POD (295.5 kJ/mol and 271.9 kJ/mol, respectively).     

Purification and partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase from the flower buds of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

The purification and partial enzymology characteristics of polyphenol oxidase from Lonicera japonica (LjPPO) were studied in this paper. The crude enzyme solution was purified in turn by ammonium sulfate, dialysis, and DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange chromatography after preliminary treatments. Purification resulted in 31-fold enrichment and its molecular weight was estimated to be ∼49 kDa exhibited on sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The pH for optimal conditions of LjPPO was 7.5, and the temperature was 25 °C, in addition, the inhibitive effects of inhibitors were enhanced positively with increasing of the concentration. Moreover, crude enzyme solution showed diphenolase activity toward catechol, l-dopa and chlorogenic acid rather than monophenolase and triphenolase activity, and the best substrate was catechol because of the highest V_max/K_m value. However, the oxidation of diphenol related to browning significantly, so the data obtained in this research provided theoretical basis for the prevention of enzymatic browning of L. japonica during processing.     

Partial purification and characterisation of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase from marula fruit (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. Caffra)

Marula fruit, native to sub-Saharan Africa, is of growing commercially importance. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase from the fruit were partially purified by a combination of temperature induced phase separation in Triton X-114, DEAE-ion exchange and Sephadex G100 gel filtration. PPO activity was purified 58-fold with 75% recovery while the purification factor for peroxidase was 19% with 25% recovery. The enzymes were characterised for enzyme concentration–reaction rate relationship, thermal stability, pH activity and stability, molecular weight, isoelectric point (pI) and kinetic parameters. PPO and peroxidase shared the same molecular weight (71 kDa) and pI (5.43). Thermal deactivation curves were bi-phasic for both activities. Peroxidase displayed maximal activity at pH 4.0 with ABTS (2,2′-azino-(bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and a K_M of 1.77 mM for hydrogen peroxide. The pH optimum for PPO was 7.0 with catechol. Marula PPO had K_M values of 1.41, 1.43, 3.73 and 4.99 mM for catechin, 4-methylcatechol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropanoic acid (DHPPA) and catechol, respectively.     

Partial purification,heat stability and kinetic characterization of the pectinmethylesterase from Brazilian guava,Paluma cultivars

Pectinmethylesterase (PME) was extracted from guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.), cultivar Paluma, by 70% ammonium sulphate saturation and partially purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G100. Gel filtration showed PME isoenzymes with different values of molecular mass. Two samples were examined: concPME (70% saturation by ammonium sulphate) and Iso4 PME (one of the isoforms from gel filtration with the greatest specific activity). Optimum pH of the enzyme (for both samples) was 8.5 and optimum temperature ranged from 75 and 85 °C. The optimum sodium chloride concentration was 0.15 M. The K_M and V_max ranged from 0.32 to 0.23 mg ml⁻¹ and 244 to 53.2 μmol/min, respectively, for concPME and Iso4PME. The activation energies (E_a) were 64.5 and 103 kJ/mol, respectively, for concPME and Iso4PME. Guava PME, cv Paluma, is a very thermostable enzyme, showing great heat stability at all temperatures studied.     

Purification and characterisation of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Eggplant (Solanum melongena) is a very rich source of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which negatively affects its quality upon cutting and postharvest processing due to enzymatic browning. PPO inhibitors, from natural or synthetic sources, are used to tackle this problem. One isoform of PPO was 259-fold purified using standard chromatographic procedures. The PPO was found to be a 112 kDa homodimer. The enzyme showed very low K_m (0.34 mM) and high catalytic efficiency (3.3 × 10⁶) with 4-methyl catechol. The substrate specificity was in the order: 4-methyl catechol > tert-butylcatechol > dihydrocaffeic acid > pyrocatechol. Cysteine hydrochloride, potassium metabilsulphite, ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, resorcylic acid and kojic acid showed competitive inhibition, whereas, citric acid and sodium azide showed mixed inhibition of PPO activity. Cysteine hydrochloride was found to be an excellent inhibitor with the low inhibitor constant of 1.8 μM.     

Determination of kinetic properties of polyphenol oxidase from Thymus (Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii)

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii is described. Polyphenol oxidase of Thymus was isolated by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation and dialysis. The effects of substrate specificity, pH, temperature, heat-inactivation and glutathione inhibitor on polyphenol oxidase activity obtained from T. longicaulis subsp. chaubardii var. chaubardii were investigated. Polyphenol oxidase showed activity toward catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol. Pyrogallol was the most suitable substrate, due to the lowest K_M (5.5 mM) and the biggest V_max/K_M (1260/min) values. It was found that the optimum pH values did not change with temperature, and were 6.5 for catechol and pyrogallol and 5.5 for 4-methycatechol at all temperatures. Optimum temperatures were 25 °C for catechol and 4-methylcatechol, and 35 °C for pyrogallol. Again, it was found that optimum temperature did not change with pH. Activation energy values were calculated from the Arrhenius equation and found to be in the range −1.72 and −7.48 kcal/mol for catechol, −3.56 and −9.17 kcal/mol for 4-methylcatechol, and −1.60 and −3.98 kcal/mol for pyrogallol as substrates, respectively. From heat-inactivation studies, the required times for 50% inactivation, using catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol substrates, were 68.9, 66.4 and 96.3 min at 45 °C, 19.9, 17.9 and 34.3 min at 65 °C, and 4.1, 2.1 and 11.9 min at 85 °C, respectively. I₅₀ and K_i values for glutathione inhibitor, using catechol, 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol substrates, were calculated, and it was found that the type of inhibition was competitive.     

Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Uapaca kirkiana fruit

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO), the enzyme responsible for the postharvest spoilage of fruits, was extracted and purified from Uapaca kirkiana peel and pulp by ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis. Further purification of peel PPO was carried out by gel filtration chromatography. Optimum pH values were 7 and 8 for peel and pulp PPO, respectively. The optimum temperatures for peel and pulp PPO were 45 and 35 °C, respectively. Inhibition studies of the PPO enzyme were performed using citric acid, sodium azide, sodium metabisulfite and thiourea. The most effective inhibitors were sodium azide and citric acid for both peel and pulp PPO. V_max and K_m values were 13.63 units min^?1 and 4.923 mmol L^?1, respectively, for peel PPO and 14.03 units min^?1 and 5.43 mmol L^?1, respectively, for pulp PPO. Three isoenzymes of Uapaca kirkiana PPO were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One of the isoenzymes could be identified as having a molecular weight of 26 625 Da. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inhibitory effects of p-alkylbenzoic acids on the activity of polyphenol oxidase from potato (Solanum tuberosum)

In order to prevent potato from browning during preservation and processing, the effects of p-alkylbenzoic acids (p-propylbenzoic acid, p-butylbenzoic acid, p-pentylbenzoic acid, p-hexylbenzoic acid, p-heptylbenzoic acid, p-octylbenzoic acid) on the activity of potato polyphenol oxidase (PPO) have been studied. The PPO was extracted with PBS (pH 6.8), fractionated with ammonium sulphate, concentrated, and purified with Sephadex G-100 (1.8 × 100 cm) filtration chromatography. The active fractions were pooled and the PPO activity was determined to be 79.83 U/mg. The results showed that p-alkylbenzoic acids could strongly inhibit the activity of potato PPO. The values of IC₅₀ of these six inhibitors were determined to be 0.213, 0.180, 0.152, 0.106, 0.075 and 0.047 mM, respectively. Kinetic analyses showed that p-alkylbenzoic acids used in this experiment were reversible and noncompetitive inhibitors to the enzyme. The inhibitory effects were potentiated with increasing lengths of the hydrocarbon chains, indicating that the inhibitory efficiency on the enzyme was influenced by the steric effect of the substituted groups.