Determination of enzymatic antioxidants in Morus alba varieties and hybrids. []. , 33, 3, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

In this work the specific activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and guaiacol peroxidase was evaluated in fresh extracts of mulberry (Morus alba) varieties and hybrids, obtained from the roots, stems and leaves. The samples of the different organs under study were randomly collected, macerated in liquid nitrogen, resuspended in sodium phosphate buffer and centrifuged. The supernatant was used for the enzymatic determinations. The simple classification ANOVA and Duncan´s multiple range test were used for mean comparison (P<0,05). The highest values of specific catalase and peroxidase activity were found, in general, in the leaves, followed by stems and roots. The varieties and hybrids with higher specific activity for both enzymes were: Tigreada, Criolla, IZ 15-9 and IZ 64. The results showed the protective antioxidant role of the extracts, mainly from leaves, from the important functions played by these enzymatic systems in the elimination of reactive oxygen species. The potential of this species for animal nutrition and health is corroborated, which gives it more value as a multipurpose forage plant. It is recommended to continue making other determinations of compounds with antioxidant activities and studying the catalase and peroxidase enzymatic systems in multipurpose species, such as M. alba, used in animal feeding and traditional medicine.

: Catalase; Morus alba; stress; peroxidase.

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