β‐Galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) from ripe papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. Eksotika) fruits having galactanase activities were fractionated by a combination of cation exchange and gel‐filtration chromatography into three isoforms, viz., β‐galactosidase I, II and III. The native proteins of the respective isoforms have apparent molecular masses of 67, 67 and 55 kDa, each showing one predominant polypeptide upon SDS‐PAGE of about 31 and 33 kDa for β‐galactosidases I and III, respectively, and of 67 kDa for β‐galactosidase II. The β‐galactosidase I protein, which was undetectable in immature fruits, appeared to be specifically accumulated during ripening. The β‐galactosidase II protein was present in developing fruits, but its level seemed to decrease with ripening. β‐Galactosidase I seemed to be an important softening enzyme; its activity increased dramatically (4‐ to 8‐fold) to a peak early during ripening and correlated closely with differential softening as related to position in the fruit tissue. The inner mesocarp tissue was softer, and its wall pectins were modified earlier and firmness decreased more rapidly during ripening compared to the outer mesocarp tissue. β‐Galactosidase II also may contribute significantly to softening because of its ability to catalyse increased solubility and depolymerization of pectins as well as through its ability to modify the alkali‐soluble hemicellulose fraction of the cell wall. The physiological significance of both β‐galactosidase isoforms may partly be attributed to their functional capacity as β‐(1,4)‐galactanases.

Walking speed is a measure of gait performance after a stroke and a predictor of community ambulatory competence. Although gait decrements during a cognitive or motor task after stroke are well-documented, the differential effects of motor and cognitive tasks on the comfortable and maximum walking speeds of individuals with chronic stroke have not been investigated. This study aimed to compare the effects of cognitive and motor tasks on the comfortable and maximum walking speeds of individuals with chronic stroke.This is a cross-sectional study. Thirty community-dwelling chronic stroke individuals were included. Time taken to complete the 10-meter Walk Test under various conditions, including walking alone, walking while completing a cognitive task, and walking while completing a motor task, was recorded, with each condition performed at comfortable as well as maximum walking speeds. Accuracy in performing the cognitive tasks was also assessed.The cognitive and motor tasks caused decrements in both comfortable and maximum walking speeds (P ≤ 0.001). The cognitive task had a greater influence than the motor task on maximum walking speed (P < 0.01).Individuals with chronic stroke tend to prioritize task accuracy and completion over maintaining walking speed. This phenomenon was more evident during the cognitive task than the motor task and was especially evident at maximum walking speed.