Lipoxygenase Activity in Black Rices

Lipoxygenase activities of three cultivars of black rice (Chindo, Suwon-415, Yongkeum-1) were determined using an oxygen polargraphic method to measure oxygen uptake. Studies at different pH levels revealed that the optimum pH was about pH 7.0 for Suwon-415 and pH 7.5 for Chindo and Yongkeum-1. The specific activities of Chindo, Suwon-415 and Yongkeum-1 at optimal pH were 41.0, 27.3, and 29.6 unit/mg-protein, respectively. In all the cultivars, there was an increase in the activity with increase in reaction temperature. Enzyme activity was tested at different concentrations of the substrate. The resulting $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of Chindo, Suwon-415, and Youngkeum-1 were 0.059, 0.050, and 0.066 mM and 2020, 2283, and 1616 unit/g-grain, respectively. Enzyme activity decreased at all storage temperatures(25, 4, and $-40^{\circ}C$).