Luffa aegyptiaca (Gourd)‎ Fruit Juice as a Source of Peroxidase

الملخص EN

Peroxidases have turned out to be potential biocatalyst for a variety of organic reactions.

The research work reported in this communication was done with the objective of finding a convenient rich source of peroxidase which could be used as a biocatalyst for organic synthetic reactions.

The studies made have shown that Luffa aegyptiaca (gourd) fruit juice contains peroxidase activity of the order of 180 enzyme unit/mL.

The Km values of this peroxidase for the substrates guaiacol and hydrogen peroxide were 2.0 and 0.2 mM, respectively.

The pH and temperature optima were 6.5 and 60°C, respectively.

Like other peroxidases, it followed double displacement type mechanism.

Sodium azide inhibited the enzyme competitively with Ki value of 3.35 mM.