Histochemical Localization of Alkaline Phosphatases and β-Glucosidases in Cucurbitaceae

Abstract

The distribution of alkaline phosphatases and β-glucosidases in the tissues of the stems of Colocynthls citrullus, Cucumis sativus and Cucurbita pepo was studied. There was similarity in the pattern of distribution for these two groups of enzymes and that of acid phosphatases. The activities of these enzymes varied not only from plant to plant but also from tissue to tissue. However both enzymes showed increasing activity with plant age and localization was correspondingly more restricted. The significance of these localizations is discussed.