Comparative study of some enzymes in different varieties of fruits

Abstract

Arginase, rhodanese and thiaminase are enzymes often encountered and that play crucial roles in different metabolic pathways. These enzymes were found to be present in different fruits: avocado pear (Persea americana), water melon (Citrullu slanatus), green exotic apple (Malus domestica), red exotic apple (Malus pumila), red local apple (Syzygium malaccense); pink local apple (Syzygium samarangense); sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), tangerine (Citrus tangerina), lime (Citrus aurantifolia), pawpaw (Carica papaya), banana (Musa acuminata), pineapple (Ananas comosus) and grape (Citrus paradisi). It was found that avocado pear has highest activity of arginase, rhodanese and thiaminase than the rest of the fruits investigated. The specific activity of rhodanese was however highest in water melon while that of arginase was more or less the same in red local apple and avocado pear. Arginase was also seen to vary significantly in the different plant samples with orange having the highest mean value of activity while sweet potato showed no activity. The study provides information on the presence of thiaminase, arginase and rhodanese in the different plants for nutritional purpose.

Effects of Postharvest Storage on Cyanide Content and Activity of Partially Purified Rhodanese from Bitter Cassava (Manihot Utilissima) Tubers

“…Specific activity of 5.4 RU/mg was reported for rhodanese from Momordica charantia (Ehigie et al 2015). Rhodanese isolated from Citrus paradise, Carica papaya and Citrus sinensis had specific activities of 4.09 RU/mg, 6.24 RU/mg and 4.21 RU/mg respectively (Okonji and Agboola 2014).…”

Physicochemical properties of rhodanese: A cyanide detoxifying enzyme from Pentadiplandra brazzeana (Baill) root

“…As P. brazzeana is a common plant in Eastern Nigeria used majorly for its spice (edible) and medicinal qualities, it is important to understand the role of rhodanese in the root of this plant. It is widely believed that the major function of rhodanese is in cyanide detoxification, however, according to Okonji and Agboola (2014), the wide distribution of rhodanese in different tissues is an indication that there may be other functions. Shahbazkia et al (2009) elucidated the other functions of rhodanese to include the participation in energy metabolism, formation of iron sulphur centre in proteins, and detoxification of hydrogen sulphide.…”