Fruit Biochemistry Laboratory, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research Bangalore-560089.
* Present address: Todd Franklin Cardiac Research Laboratory, U.S.A.
Activity of enzymes involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and organic acids metabolism was assayed in seven mango cultivars during ripening. The glycolytic enzyme hexokinase activity was detected only at ripe stage. PFK activity was maximum in ripe stage and could not be detected at harvest maturity and 1/2 ripe stage. PK activity was detected at four ripening stages and activity level increased until % ripe stage and declined at ripe stage. Gluconeogenic enzymes G6-Pase activity increased until % ripe stage, FB Pase activity registered several fold increase from % to ripe stage and PEPCK activity followed the pattern of FB Pase during ripening. PEPC and pyruvate decarboxylase activity patterns amongst mango cultivars were quite variable and NADP-dependent ME activity increased during ripening. This study brought out that enzyme activity level differences accounted for the variations of sugars and organic acids contents observed amongst seven mango cultivars.
