Simultaneous formation of chymopapain inhibitor activity and cubical crystals in tomato leaves

Abstract

Chymopapain inhibitor activity is found in young, excised tomato leaflets exposed to continuous illumination at 30 °C and 50 to 60% relative humidity. Inhibitor activity is accompanied by the formation of cubical crystals in the leaf mesophyll cells. As chymopapain inhibitor activity increases, crystals increase in number and volume. There is a strong positive correlation between crystal volume and inhibitor activity.