Enzymatic Activity Profiles at Different Stages of the Development of Bulbils from “Dougou-Won” and "Won-Kpia," Two Varieties of Dioscorea bulbifera

Two varieties of Dioscorea bulbifera (Dougou-won and Won-kpia) were grown to study the enzymatic profile of bulbils during their growth. For each variety, bulbils aged between 1 and 6 months were harvested. After being washed, peeled and cut into strips, the samples were ground in a 0.9% NaCl saline solution. The mixture obtained was centrifuged and the supernatant collected constituted the crude enzyme extract. The experimental conditions consisted of a reaction medium comprising a buffer solution, the enzyme extract and synthetic or natural substrates. The results showed that the bulbils of “Dougou-won” have high levels of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), acid phosphatase and α-amylase, while the bulbils of “Won-kpia” showed high levels of α-D-mannosidase, β-fucosidase and inulase during growth. The study highlighted the enzymatic potential of bulbils of the “Dougou-won” and “Won-kpia” varieties, which could be a valuable source of enzymes for biotechnology and other industrial.