The dependence of crude papain yields on different collection (‘tapping’) procedures for papaya latex

Abstract

The yields of fresh papaya latex, dry latex (crude papain) and proteolytic activity were studied with respect to fruit age (1.5-3 months); sex of the tree (those which produce fruit: female and hermaphrodite); time (5.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m.) of latex collection; pattern and frequency of fruit incisions. The yields from 250 randomly selected trees (750 fruits) were investigated under these different conditions. Yields of fresh latex are frequently unreliable guides to yields of proteolytic activity. In contrast to the literature recommendations, the yields of crude papain from female and hermaphrodite trees and during different periods of the day were similar. The proteolytic activity differs significantly with time of collection only with hermaphrodite trees. The proteolytic activity of hermaphrodite crude papain is usually less than that from females (under some conditions only 60% of that from females). Yields of crude papain were higher in older fruits (2.5-3 months) from both sexes. The proteolytic activity of the crude papain was highest in the younger fruits (1.5-2 months) from female trees (30% higher than from older fruits); these activity differences with age were not significant with hermaphrodite trees. No significant differences in crude papain yields were encountered using three or six incisions per fruit at weekly intervals. The optimum procedure is to tap 2.5-3-month-old fruit of both sexes with three incisions between dawn and the start of rains in early afternoon, at about 4-day intervals.

Análise sazonal da produção e da atividade enzimática de látex fresco coletado de frutos de plantas femininas e hermafroditas de mamão (Carica papaya L.)

“…Frutos com esta dimensão encontram-se normalmente com inserção baixa na planta. Madrigal et al (1980) correlacionaram nível de inserção na planta com a idade do fruto. Se usarmos essa avaliação, frutos com as dimensões citadas anteriormente teriam cerca de 2,5 a 3 meses de desenvolvimento.…”

“…No entanto, há citações na literatura que plantas femininas seriam as mais indicadas para cultivo, pois produzem duas vezes mais papaína que plantas hermafroditas (Agribusiness Development Centre, 2000). Por outro lado, Madrigal et al (1980) concluíram que para um manejo ideal e alta produção, plantas de ambos os sexos devem ser submetidas à coleta de látex. Fatores sazonais podem também interferir na síntese de látex, como na papoula (Papaver somniferum), onde a variação de água na composição do ópio leva a alterações rápidas na concentração dos alcaloides nesse material (Itenov et al, 1999) e na seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis) onde mudanças climáticas sazonais produzem grandes variações na produção de látex ao longo do dia e do ano (Melo et al, 2004;Reis et al, 2008).…”

Biochemical Constituents in Leaf of <i>Carica papaya</i> - Ethnomedicinal Plant of Kachchh Region

“…Mutalic G. Papaya plants are also produced for papain and chymopapain, two industrially important proteolytic enzymes found in the milky white latex exuded by fruits. In general, female fruits tend to exude more papain than hermaphrodite fruits (Madrigal et al 1980). …”

Lipase activity in alcoholysis and esterification reactions of crude latex from babaco fruit (Carica pentagona)

“…These fresh latices were collected in the early morning by tapping the green fruits following the optimal collection procedure. [9]. Fresh latices were obtained by making three longitudinal incisions (depth 2-3 mm) on the green fruit epidermis using a wood blade.…”