Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were puri®ed from white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) using DEAE-cellulose ionexchange chromatography. Thermoinactivation curves for polyphenol oxidase showed monophasic kinetics, while those for peroxidase were biphasic. Urea partially stabilised peroxidase against irreversible thermoinactivation, but did not do so in the case of polyphenol oxidase. Only peroxidase was capable of regenerating activity after thermoinactivation. The results showed that thermoinactivation of peroxidase was mainly due to conformational changes, while that of polyphenol oxidase was probably due to covalent damage. Peroxidase reactivation might play an important role in the browning of processed yam.
INTRODUCTIONDespite the importance of yam as a major food crop in West Africa, its postharvest biochemistry has been poorly studied. 1 As a consequence, postharvest losses due to sprouting, physical damage, pests and pathogens have remained relatively high. 2 One relatively successful procedure for improving the postharvest storage of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) tubers involves processing into¯our. This consists of (1) peeling off the outer covering, (2) cubing, (3) boiling in distilled water for 10±15 min, (4) drying and (5) milling into¯our. Unfortunately, consumer acceptability and the shelf-life of the¯our are adversely affected by the inability of the¯our to retain the typical white colour of yam which is highly desired by consumers. 3,4 Colour changes in freshly damaged plant materials have been attributed to the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO; o-diphenol:O 2 oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2), which catalyses the oxidation of polyphenols to o-quinones. 5,6 Peroxidase (Px; donor: hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.7) catalyses the oxidation of a number of aromatic compounds and has been associated with darkening in fresh and processed vegetables and fruits. 7 Both PPO and Px are known to be highly heat-resistant but each displays a different capability for reactivation after thermoinactivation. 5,8±11In D rotundata, which contains PPO, 3,4,12 correlating PPO activity with tissue browning was shown to be contraindicative. 13 The purpose of the present study was to relate the thermoinactivation processes of PPO and Px to the discolouration of processed yam.