Changes in Some Enzyme Activities of Water Convolvulus (Ipomoea aquatica FORSK.) and Malabar Spinach (Basella rubra L. var. alba MAKINO) in relation to chilling injury and yellowing

Abstract

The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in water convolvulus was relatively high at 20°C. Whereas that in malabar spinach was not detected at any storage temperatures. The ascorbic acid oxidase activity in malabar spinach was lower than in water convolvulus, and the ascorbic acid peroxidase activity related to ascorbic acid (AsA) oxidation is high with water convolvulus. Some results indicate that the appearance of chilling injury and yellowing were relative to the three enzyme activities.