Drying of fresh papaya latex with and without EDTA addition as studied
with regard to the proteolytic activity of crude papain. The optimum concentration of
EDTA added to fresh latex before drying was 0.2 % (w/w). Moisture content of the
fresh latex treated with and without EDAT addition was decreased by 94.29 and
93.07%, receptively, after 7 hrs of drying at 55 °e. Drying of fresh latex reduced its
proteolytic acUvity, gradually Ihe presence of 0.2% (w/w) EDT A, added to the fresh
latex, before drying preserved its proteolytic activity comparing with the control.
Refined papain was Isolated by a modified method. its proteolytic activity of the
isolated papain was assayed, showing an enzyme unit of 7.08 Img of s mple and
specifIC activity of 11.14 U/mg protein.