CELLULAR-LOCALIZATION OF POLYPHENOL OXIDASE AND PEROXIDASE-ACTIVITY IN LITCHI-CHINENSIS SONN PERICARP

Cellular localisation of visual browning and oxidative activity studie s were conducted to determine the relative significance of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities during pericarp browning . Pericarp browning was first observed on the protuberance apices and subsequently extended uniformly over the entire pericarp surface. Anat omically, browning was highly localised and restricted to the epicarp and the upper mesocarp. PPO and POD activities were highest in the epi carp, with progressively less activity in both the mesocarp and endoca rp. In situ localisation of oxidative activity using tissue blots conf irmed high epicarp PPO activity. POD activity, although primarily rest ricted to mesocarp vascular tissue, was also detected in the epicarp. We believe that litchi pericarp browning is due to highly localised ox idative activity in the epicarp and upper mesocarp. As PPO and POD act ivities were significantly higher in this tissue and browning was not observed when both enzymes were selectively inhibited, it is postulate d that both PPO and POD activities are associated with litchi pericarp browning. The current theory that litchi pericarp browning is only ca used by PPO activity needs to be re-appraised to determine the relativ e role of POD activity.