Changes in activity of polygalacturonase (PG), pectinesterase (PE) and cellulase (Cx) in pulp during fruit development of two ripening Jujube Ziziphus spp. cultivars

Abstract

The activities of polygalacturonase (PG), pectinesterase (PE) and cellulase (Cx) were investigated in two jujube cultivars (Zatoni and Bambawi) during fruit development, The jujube fruit Zatwni and Bambawi cvs, displayed a double sigmoidal growth curve with very short stage II (2 weeks in Zatwni and 4 weeks in Bambawi cv.). the pectin content was high during early stage of fruit development, but declined gradually with fruit development and reached their lowest value when the fruit entered the ripening phase. The PG, PE and Cx were low level during early stages of fruit development, but there were rapid increase in these enzymes activity as the jujube entered variation stage, and maturity phase.