Differences in chitinase activity in the anatomies of plant species

Abstract

Research regarding the distribution of intracellular chitinase activity, which is found in the skin and flesh of 46 plants from 24 families. Examples which have high chitinase activity in live anatomy weight are persimmon (Ebenaceae Diospyros kaki) skin and flesh, melon (Cucurbitaceae hurdies) flesh, muskmelon (Cantaloupes) flesh, mango (Anacardiaceae Mangifera indica) skin and flesh, avocado (Lauraceous Persea Americana) skin, mube (Lardizabalaceae Stauntonia hexaphylla) flesh, and kiwifruit (Actinidiaceae Actinidia deliciosa) flesh. As the result of examination using the skin of 5 items from Ebenaceae which family has the highest chitinase activity, Fuji-gaki (from Ehime Prefecture) has enzyme activities, which are 1.08U per 100g of live skin weight, and 68.2U/mg protein per the protein content of the skin.