Abstract

Induction of pectinmethylesterase (PME) activity in the pericarp of achenes can be achieved by opening the syconium of the jelly-fig (Ficus awkeotsang Makino) and exposing the achenes to air. Among several factors examined, exposure to the atmosphere is the critical factor for the induction of the synthesis of PME in achenes obtained from green, pollinated syconia at different developmental stages. A close relationship between the rapid increase in pectinmethylesterase activity and a rapid increase in protein content was observed in the achenes that were removed from the syconium and air-dried for several hours. The protein content and enzymatic activity reached a plateau value in only twenty-four hours. The dramatic increase in enzymatic activity is due to protein synthesis de novo rather than the activation of a pre-existing precursor of PME.

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