EFFECT OF OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ON THE BIOCHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL CHANGES OF STORED LONGAN FRUIT

ABSTRACT

Longan fruits were stored for 6 days in atmosphere of 5, 21 (air) or 60% O₂ (balance N₂) at 28C and 90–95% relative humidity to examine effects of low and high O₂ concentration on enzymatic browning and quality attributes of the fruit. Changes in pericarp browning, pulp breakdown, disease development, total phenol content, activities of phenol metabolism‐associated enzymes, relative leakage rate, α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and contents of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were evaluated. Storage of fruit in a 5% O₂ atmosphere markedly delayed pericarp browning in association with maintenance of high total phenolic content and reduced activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase. Moreover, the fruit stored in a 5% O₂ atmosphere exhibited a lower relative leakage rate and higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than fruit stored in air. This presumably was beneficial in maintaining compartmentation of enzymes and substrates, and thus, reducing pericarp browning. Pulp breakdown and disease development were also reduced by exposure to a 5% oxygenatmosphere. On the contrary, exposure of longan fruit to a 60% O₂ atmosphere accelerated pericarp browning, pulp breakdown and decay development. PPO and POD activities and relative leakage rate were similar for control and 60% O₂‐treated fruit after 4 and 6 days of storage. Furthermore, treatment with 60% O₂ significantly decreased the phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity of fruit. In addition, exposure to 5 or 60% O₂ resulted in a higher level of total soluble solids, but a lower level of ascorbic acid of longan fruit flesh. In conclusion, exposure to a 5% O₂ atmosphere showed great potential to reduce pericarp browning and extend shelf life of longan fruit.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Pericarp browning and pulp breakdown are the major causes of deterioration in postharvest longan. Conventional controlled atmosphere with low O₂ and high CO₂ is effective in maintaining quality and extending shelf life of fruits and vegetables, including inhibition of tissue browning. In this study, 5%‐controlled atmosphere reduced significantly pericarp browning, pulp breakdown and rot development. It could potentially be useful as a postharvest technology of longan fruit for reducing or replacing the use of chemicals such as SO₂ and fungicides, but it requires further investigation.     

采前喷施胺鲜酯对采后龙眼果实贮藏期间病害发生的抑制作用及其机理

为阐明采前喷施胺鲜酯对采后龙眼果实贮藏期间病害发生的影响及其可能机理,用浓度为10 mg/kg的胺鲜酯溶液在‘福眼’龙眼盛花期后70、90、110 d各喷施果实1次,以蒸馏水喷施为对照,果实采收后在(28±1)℃下贮藏。采后贮藏期间取样测定龙眼果实感病指数、果皮木质素和总酚含量,以及果皮苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活力。结果发现:经采前喷施胺鲜酯的龙眼果实感病指数采后贮藏至第6 d比对照组低11.59%。与对照组龙眼果实相比,采前喷施胺鲜酯可降低采后龙眼果实贮藏期间的感病指数、果皮多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活力,保持较高的果皮苯丙氨酸解氨酶、几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活力,以及果皮木质素和总酚含量。综合分析可知,采前喷施胺鲜酯能有效减轻龙眼果实采后病害的发生,这与采前喷施胺鲜酯能提高采后龙眼果实的果皮抗病相关酶活力和降低酚类物质氧化酶活力,从而有利于提高木质素、总酚等抗病物质含量,进而增强果实抗病性有关。     

‘东壁’和‘福眼’龙眼果实果皮褐变差异的生理机制

比较研究在温度（8±1）℃、相对湿度85%贮藏条件下‘东壁’和‘福眼’龙眼果实的果皮褐变差异及其与活性氧及酚类物质代谢的关系。结果表明：贮藏期间,‘东壁’龙眼果实的果皮褐变指数、果皮O2－·产生速率、丙二醛含量、细胞膜透性都显著低于‘福眼’龙眼,而活性氧清除酶（超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX））活性和内源抗氧化物质（还原型抗坏血酸（AsA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH））含量都显著高于‘福眼’龙眼;‘东壁’龙眼果实的果皮多酚氧化酶（PPO）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性都低于‘福眼’龙眼,而果皮花色素苷、类黄酮和总酚含量则高于‘福眼’龙眼。因此,采后‘东壁’龙眼果实较不容易发生果皮褐变,与其具有较强的活性氧清除能力,能减少O2 － ·积累,减轻膜脂过氧化作用,较好地保持龙眼果皮细胞膜结构的完整性,延缓PPO、POD与酚类物质接触而减少酚类物质的酶促氧化褐变有关。     

茉莉酸甲酯处理对采后龙眼果皮褐变的影响

本实验以10、50、100μmol/L MeJA处理‘储良’龙眼(Dimocarpus longan Lour.)果实,研究其对(20±1)℃、85%相对湿度贮藏条件下的龙眼果皮褐变的影响。结果表明：与对照组相比,MeJA处理可有效降低‘储良’龙眼采后果皮褐变指数、果皮细胞膜透性和果肉自溶指数,而且MeJA浓度越高,抑制效果越明显。与对照组相比,100μmol/L MeJA处理龙眼果实能够保持较高的果皮总酚和类黄酮含量,降低果皮多酚氧化酶活力,有效提高果皮过氧化物酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶活力;另一方面,MeJA处理可以有效降低超氧阴离子自由基产生速率以及H₂O₂含量,有效增强抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶)活力以及1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基清除能力,提高果皮抗氧化能力。综上,100μmol/L MeJA处理可抑制龙眼果实采后部分酚类物质代谢,增强其抗氧化能力,从而延缓龙眼采后果皮褐变的发生,延长贮藏保鲜期。     

Effect of nitric oxide on pericarp browning of harvested longan fruit in relation to phenolic metabolism

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on enzymatic browning of harvested longan fruit in relation to phenolic metabolisms were investigated. Fruits were dipped for 5 min in 1 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, then packed in 0.03 mm thick polyethylene bags, and finally stored for 6 days at 28 °C. Changes in pericarp browning and pulp breakdown were evaluated, while total phenol content, activities of phenolic-associated enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and concentrations of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were measured. SNP treatment delayed pericarp browning, inhibited activities of PPO, POD and PAL and maintained a high total phenol content of longan fruit during storage. Furthermore, NO showed a significant inhibition of the in vitro activities of PPO and POD, indicating that the beneficial effect of NO was direct. Moreover, application of NO resulted in a lower pulp breakdown and maintained relatively high levels of total soluble solids and ascorbic acid.     

Limiting the deterioration of mango fruit during storage at room temperature by oxalate treatment

Effects of oxalate on the incidence of decay and ripening in mango fruit, and its physiological effects on the peel and flesh of mango were investigated after mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) were dipped in different oxalate solutions for 10 min and then stored at 25 °C. Oxalate application decreased the incidence of decay and delayed the ripening process in mango fruit during storage. Potassium oxalate treatment resulted in increased activities of peroxidase (POD) in both the peel and the flesh and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in the peel, without activation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, and elevated total phenolic content in the peel. The physiological effects of oxalate in increasing activities of POD and PPO and elevating total phenolic level could be involved in induced resistance of mango fruit against postharvest disease. Oxalate application could be a promising method to suppress postharvest deterioration and extend the useful shelf-life of mangoes.     

龙眼果实品质劣变和贮藏保鲜技术研究进展

龙眼是中国南方重要的亚热带特色水果,其果实成熟于高温季节,采后极易发生果皮褐变、果肉自溶及病原菌侵染所致果实腐烂等品质劣变,是限制龙眼果实采后保鲜期的主要因素。本文就龙眼果实采后品质劣变(果皮褐变、果肉自溶、病原菌侵染导致果实变质腐烂),热处理、紫外线-强效应波长(UV-B)辐照处理、二氧化氯处理、壳聚糖处理、低温贮藏、气调冷藏、微生物生物保鲜等龙眼果实采后处理及保鲜技术的国内外研究进展进行综述,旨在为延缓采后龙眼果实品质劣变、延长龙眼果实保鲜期提供技术参考。     

Two Endogenous Substrates for Polyphenoloxidase in Pericarp Tissues of Postharvest Rambutan Fruit

Abstract: The catalytic oxidation of phenolic substrates by polyphenoloxidase (PPO) causes pericarp browning of postharvest rambutan fruit. In the present study, PPO and its endogenous substrates were extracted from rambutan pericarp tissues (RPT). The substrate extracts were sequentially partitioned with ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The analysis of total phenolic content showed that the most phenolic compounds were distributed in ethyl acetate fraction. By high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), (−)-epicatechin (EC) and proanthocyanidin A2 (PA2) were identified from this fraction. After reacting with rambutan PPO, EC turned brown rapidly within 10 min, indicating that it was a significant endogenous substrate. Although PA2 could also be oxidized by the PPO, it turned brown very slowly. In addition, because EC and PA2 were continually catalyzed into browning products by PPO during storage of the fruit at 4 and 25 °C, their contents in RPT gradually declined with the extended storage time. It was further observed that both substrate contents in rambutan fruit storing at 25 °C decreased more rapidly than that storing at 4 °C, suggesting that low temperature inhibited the catalytic oxidation of substrates so as to slow down pericarp browning. Practical Application: Pericarp browning is a serious problem to storage and transport of harvested rambutan fruit. A generally accepted opinion on the browning mechanism is the oxidation of phenolic substrates by PPO. Ascertaining PPO substrates will effectively help us to control enzymatic reaction by chemical methods so as to delay or even prevent pericarp browning of harvested rambutan fruit.     

Effects of preharvest application of antagonistic yeast combined with chitosan on decay and quality of harvested table grape fruit

BACKGROUND: Decay caused by fungal pathogens is responsible for significant economic loss of grape fruit in vineyards worldwide. However, postharvest treatment is not advisable for this fruit owing to its thin waxy pericarp and succulent flesh, which are easily damaged. Therefore preharvest treatment even at 1 day before harvest has been considered as a promising method to control postharvest decay of table grape fruit in storage. Integrative effects of preharvest application of Cryptococcus laurentii combined with low‐concentration chitosan on decay and quality of table grape fruit during storage were investigated in this study. RESULTS: Spraying of antagonistic yeast combined with chitosan before harvest significantly reduced natural decay of fruit stored at 0 °C. Preharvest treatment stabilised polyphenol oxidase activity, increased peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase activities and decreased superoxide dismutase activity compared with control fruit. There was a higher ratio of soluble solid content to titratable acidity in treated fruit than in control fruit during storage. In addition, preharvest treatment affected the total phenolic content in fruit during storage. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that integrative application of C. laurentii and low‐concentration chitosan before harvest may be a promising technology to control decay of table grape fruit in storage. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of chitosan coating on postharvest life and quality of longan fruit

The effects of chitosan coating in extending postharvest life of longan fruits and maintaining their quality were investigated. The fruits were treated with aqueous solutions of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% chitosan, respectively, and then stored at 2°C and 90% relative humidity. Changes in respiration rate, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, colour, eating quality, and weight loss were measured. The effect of chitosan coating on disease incidence was also evaluated. The application of chitosan coating reduced respiration rate and weight loss, delayed the increase in PPO activity and the changes in colour, and eating quality, and partially inhibited decay of fruit during storage. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of chitosan coating enhanced the beneficial effects of chitosan on postharvest life and quality of the fruit.     

Identification of (−)-epicatechin as the direct substrate for polyphenol oxidase from longan fruit pericarp

Postharvest browning of longan fruit results in a short life and a reduced commercial value. The experiments were conducted to separate, then purify and finally identify the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) substrates that cause longan fruit to brown. PPO and its substrates were, respectively, extracted from longan fruit pericarp tissues. The substrate for longan PPO was separated and purified using polyamide column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and silica gel column chromatography, respectively. The substrate was further identified by 0.5% FeCl₃ solution and enzymatic reaction with longan PPO. On the bases of UV, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and ESI-MS data, the direct substrate for the PPO from pericarp tissues of longan fruit was identified to be (−)-epicatechin. Furthermore, the contents of (−)-epicatechin of pericarp tissues of longan fruit of two major cultivars were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC analysis exhibited that the contents of (−)-epicatechin of fruit pericarp of ‘Shixia’ and ‘Chuliang’ were 0.26 and 0.56 mg/g on fresh weight (FW) basis at harvest and 0.15 and 0.09 mg/g FW after 3 days of storage. The more rapid decrease in the (−)-epicatechin content of ‘Chuliang’ was due to the oxidization catalyzed by PPO, which was in agreement with the higher browning index.     

Vital Characteristics of Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Pericarp that Define Postharvest Concepts for Thai Cultivars

To assess the fruit-specific determinants of pericarp browning, litchi pericarp was characterized in terms of appearance, the polyphenol pattern as specified by HPLC-DAD-MS ⁿ without and after thiolysis, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) by exploring “Kwang Jao,” “O-Hia,” “Kim Cheng,” and “Chacapat” fruit on the respective harvest day, “Hong Huey” fruit also throughout 52 days of cold storage (5 °C, 95% relative humidity). At harvest, PPO activity was maximum for “Kim Cheng” pericarp (126 μkat/hg), whereas POD activity was striking for that of “O-Hia” (512 μkat/hg, including membrane-bound isoforms). Flavan-3-ol and proanthocyanidin patterns were consistent for all cultivars. However, cultivars with sharp-pointed and round–obtuse protuberances differed in pericarp anthocyanin and flavonol glycosylation patterns. The molar ratio of cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside to its glucoside was ≤6:1 for “Hong Huey” and “Kwang Jao,” but ≥43:1 for “Kim Cheng” and “Chacapat” pericarp. Long-term storage gave evidence of two key processes involved in pericarp browning: (1) PPO-mediated oxidation of abundant (?)-epicatechin (1.4–2.0 g/hg), resulting in dark brown pigments, and (2) microcrack-induced formation of light brown surface scurf, supposably with involvement of POD. Accordingly, an improved scheme for litchi pericarp browning was proposed. As regards recommendable postharvest concepts for each cultivar, “Chacapat” suited most for long-distance transports due to its overall low susceptibility to pericarp browning. Properties of “O-Hia” litchi, being prone to surface scurf formation, suggested preferred distribution via domestic markets. High contents of flavonols (e.g., quercetin glycosides, 166 mg/hg) and A-type-linked procyanidins (e.g., procyanidin A2, 1,092 mg/hg) qualified pericarp of “Hong Huey” litchi as raw material for polyphenol extracts exerting antioxidant properties.     

采前喷施胺鲜酯对采后龙眼果实贮藏期间果皮能量代谢的影响

本实验研究采前喷施含量为10 mg/kg的胺鲜酯(diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate,DA-6)对采后'福眼'龙眼果实(Dimocarpus longan Lour.cv.Fuyan)贮藏期间果皮能量代谢的影响.贮藏期间取样测定龙眼果实的果皮腺苷三磷酸(adenosine triphosphate...     

低温贮藏对晚熟龙眼“立冬本”果实采后生理和品质的影响

研究了龙眼"立冬本"果实在采后(25±0.5)℃和(3±0.5)℃温度下的呼吸强度、细胞膜透性和品质的变化。结果表明:龙眼果实属于非呼吸跃变型果实;在(25±0.5)℃下贮藏4天,果实呼吸强度下降,之后明显上升;果实采后果皮细胞膜透性快速增加,果实易失重、衰老、腐烂和果皮褐变,贮藏后期果肉自溶;果肉可滴定酸和维生素C含量快速下降,总糖和蔗糖含量下降,还原糖含量先升后降,可溶性固形物含量在贮藏前期下降而后期上升,可溶性固形物和可滴定酸比值先升后降;贮藏后期果肉可滴定酸含量增加。而(3±0.5)℃低温贮藏可显著降低果实呼吸强度,抑制病原菌生长,延缓果实衰老和果皮细胞膜透性增加,延迟果皮褐变,减少果实失重和果肉营养成分变化,抑制果肉自溶,保持果实较高的品质,延长果实贮藏期。     

Quality and biochemical changes of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour cv. Daw) fruit under different controlled atmosphere conditions

Sulphur dioxide has been used to control pericarp browning in longan fruit. However, due to health and regulatory concerns, alternative treatments should be tested. The objective of this study was to find the tolerance levels of longan fruit to low O₂ (2%, 5%, 10% and 15%) and elevated CO₂ (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) at 2 °C. According to the tolerance study, controlled atmospheres (CA) of 5% O₂ + 5% CO₂, 5% O₂ + 10% CO₂ and 5% O₂ + 15% CO₂ were compared with normal air (control) at 2 °C. Pericarp browning and decay incidence of longan were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher in control than all the CA treatments. CA storage reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, maintained L* value and slowed down a decrease in total phenolic contents (TPC). Pericarp browning was highly correlated with PPO, L* and TPC.     

脱硫对熏硫‘黑叶’荔枝采后品质及果肉亚硫酸盐代谢的影响

本实验研究了脱硫对熏硫‘黑叶’荔枝果实采后品质、亚硫酸盐残留量和果肉中亚硫酸盐代谢的影响。测定对照（施保克）、熏硫和脱硫处理的果实4 ℃贮藏期间的色度值、褐变指数、腐烂率、亚硫酸盐残留量及果肉中亚硫酸盐氧化酶（sulfite oxidase,SO）、腺苷-5’-磷酰硫酸还原酶（adenosine 5’-phosphosulfatezoline reductase,APR）、亚硫酸盐还原酶（sulfite reductase,SiR）、丝氨酸酰基转移酶（serine acetyltransferase,SAT）和乙酰丝氨酸裂解酶（O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase,OAS-TL）活力和基因表达。结果表明：贮藏期间脱硫果实较熏硫果实提前转红;脱硫和熏硫荔枝的果皮褐变指数和腐烂率均较对照组显著降低;相比熏硫,脱硫使果皮水分质量分数降低和相对电导率升高的幅度更大,抑制呼吸的效果则相近;脱硫使果皮亚硫酸盐含量大幅降低,并使得果肉亚硫酸盐含量在贮藏16 d后降至接近对照组的水平;贮藏期间除APR外,熏硫和脱硫后果肉中其他4 种酶的活力均呈现上调,即贮藏过程中处理组SO、SAT活力分别较同时期对照组上调2.0、8.6～26.7 倍,而脱硫果肉SAT活力仅在贮藏0 d较对照组上调11.1 倍,之后迅速下降,贮藏32 d后与对照组无显著差异;熏硫和脱硫果肉中5 个基因的表达则均在贮藏中后期总体高于对照。上述结果表明,脱硫可加快熏硫荔枝果皮恢复红色,获得与熏硫相当的保鲜效果,大幅降低了熏硫荔枝的硫残留,保障其食用安全。脱硫和熏硫荔枝果肉中SO和SAT活力的上调表明,SO酶促氧化反应是荔枝果肉亚硫酸盐降解中占主导和最稳定的方式,SAT和SiR主导的还原途径则可能作为氧化途径的补充。     

采后硅酸钠处理对杏果粉霉病的抑制及机理

为探讨采后硅酸钠处理对杏果粉霉病的抑制效果及机理,作者观察了体外条件下硅酸钠对杏果粉霉病病原物粉红单端孢(Trichothecium roseum)的抑制效果,并以"李杏"为试材,采用不同浓度的硅酸钠溶液(0、25、50、75 mmol/L)浸泡果实10 min,测定常温贮藏期间处理对T.roseum损伤接种果实病斑直径的抑制,以及对果实两种防御性酶过氧化物酶(POD)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性及抗性物质总酚和类黄酮含量的影响。结果表明,体外条件下硅酸钠可抑制粉红单端孢(Trichotethium roseum)的生长,其中以25 mmol/L处理效果最好,抑菌率可达85%。不同浓度硅酸钠浸泡可明显降低杏果损伤接种T.roseum的病斑直径,其中以50 mmol/L效果最好,且抑制效果可持续72 h。50 mmol/L硅酸钠处理还有效提高了果实体内过氧化物酶(POD)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性,促进了总酚的积累,但对类黄酮含量影响不大。由此表明,采后硅酸钠处理可通过直接抑菌和诱导果实抗性来抑制杏的粉霉病。     

Maintaining postharvest quality of fresh produce with volatile compounds

The postharvest quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit was evaluated after treatment with eucalyptus (Ec: Eucalyptus globulus L.) and cinnamon (Cn: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Blume) volatile oil compounds and storage at 13 °C during or following vapour exposure. Fruit decay decreased in fruit treated with oil vapours and transfer to ‘ambient air’ (AA). Cn-treated tomato maintained fruit firmness during exposure, but the effects were not persistent following storage to AA. However, no effects on fruit firmness were observed for Ec-treated tomato and strawberry-treated with Ec-and Cn-vapours. Oil vapours stimulated levels of total soluble solids during exposure but effects were persistent only for ‘cherry’ tomatoes following exposure. Fruit samples treated with oil vapours did not differ in percentage weight loss, organic acid content, sweetness and total phenolic content during or following vapour exposure compared with untreated fruit. The results suggest that essential oil vapour may improve fruit quality-related attributes on top of the well-documented antimicrobial protection during fresh produce storage and transit.     

绿原酸复配水杨酸对采后芦笋冷藏保鲜的影响

以新鲜绿芦笋为试材,研究0.3 mmol/L绿原酸(CA)和0.3 mmol/L绿原酸复配0.1 mmol/L水杨酸(CA+SA)处理,以腐烂率、呼吸强度、叶绿素、纤维素、V_C、总酚、超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性为指标进行测定,探究其对冷藏(4±2℃)保鲜效果的影响。结果表明:冷藏中CA和CA+SA处理能显著降低芦笋的呼吸峰(P<0.05),比对照(CK)分别降低了7.21%和6.22%,减缓叶绿素和V_C的降解速度,提升总酚、CAT、POD和T-SOD酶活性,抑制腐烂率、超氧阴离子(O₂^-·)和PPO酶活性,使过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性高峰提前4 d,CA+SA处理效果优于CA处理。CA+SA处理显著抑制了贮藏8 d后芦笋纤维素的增加(P<0.05),其CAT酶活性峰值是CK的1.92倍,而CA处理对芦笋纤维素和CAT峰值没有影响。绿原酸复配水杨酸能较...     

The role of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in the browning of water caltrop pericarp during heat treatment

The mechanism of browning involving enzymatic browning was investigated in the pericarp of water caltrop, an Asian vegetable popular for its taste and medicinal properties. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were determined in pericarp at various times and temperatures. Water caltrop consisted of 44.22% moisture content, 37.23% crude fibre, and 2.63% crude protein. PPO and POD activities dropped from 62 and 38 units/g sample, respectively, as water temperature was increased from 30 to 80 °C. Optimum pH and temperature for PPO activity was at pH 5.0, 25–45 °C, and POD activity peaked at 60 °C. High PPO and POD activities at 40–50 °C resulted in degradation of phenolic compounds, which led to increased aggregation of browning pigments and discolouration (lower L-values) of the pericarp. Enzymatic browning was determined as the major factor in the browning discolouration of heat-treated water caltrop pericarp.