Distribution of oxidase enzymes in potato tubers relative to blackspot susceptibility. I. Phenolases

To determine whether phenolase activity is related to susceptibility or resistance to blackspot, tissue from bud and stem ends of potato tubers was assayed for differences in monophenolase and polyphenolase activities, changes in activity due to bruising, and different forms of phenolase. No relationship between blackspot and phenolase activity was found when activities of selected tissue were determined with p-cresol, tyrosine or chlorogenic acid as substrates. A significant positive relationship was found between polyphenolase activity and blackspot susceptibility when total or soluble or particulate fractions of phenolase activity were determined with catechol. Stem tissue had a significantly higher rate of phenolase activity than did bud-end tissue, where activity was determined with p-cresol, tyrosine or catechol; no significant differences in activity between the ends were found when chlorogenic acid was used.