Studies in the Preparation of Papain Selection of Fruits for the First lancing

1. Effect of initial lancing at three ages and five sizes of papaya fruits on the yield of the latex and papain, and also on the final size of the lanced fruits, was studied. The fruits of different age-groups had set in July and August, 1953.

2. Amongst different age-groups studied, fruits initially lanced at two months of age produced the highest weight of the latex and papain. Similarly, the fruits of 14,3 inches lengthwise circumference x 10.9 inches girth had the best performance amongst the fruits of diffarent sizes.

3. The July set fruits yielded more latex and papain than the August set ones.

4. Lancing did not reduce the final sizes of the lanced fruits appreciably.