Biochemistry of papaya (<i>Carica papaya</i>L.) fruit ripening: changes in RNA, DNA, protein and enzymes of mitochondrial, carbohydrate, respiratory and phosphate metabolism

Abstract

SummaryFruits of papaya cv Coorg Honey Dew were analysed at five ripening stages for RNA, DNA, protein and enzyme activity. Ripening was characterized by an increase in the activities of invertase, cellulase, pectinesterase, catalase, peroxidase, adenosine triphosphatase, acid phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase and mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase; and falling levels of amylase, ribonuclease, mitochrondrial adenosine triphosphatase, NADH diphorase and malic dehydrogenase, and of the RNA, DNA, protein and mitochondrial protein contents.