Background: Papaya latex is a milky fluid secreted by ducts and is a complex mixture of phytochemicals (secondary metabolites). Lowry&rsquo;s method was used to quantify the papain extracts from the fruits and leaves to measure cysteine protease activity. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted using the extracts of papaya fruit latex (Papain) and leaf extracts for phytochemical analysis. As a result, the enzyme concentration in crude extracts was highest in the fruit latex and lowest in the leaves. The dialyzed leaves extract band/color was very light in comparison to the fruit latex band/color, indicating that the enzyme concentration in the crude leaves sample was the lowest. 
 
Result: Quantitative estimation of protein content was observed higher in papaya fruit latex papain (82.5 mg/ml) and in papaya leaves (36.6 mg/ml). Positively higher significant results were also confirmed for the protease activity examined for latex and leaves valued 6.34 mg and 5.323 mg, respectively, whereas, the similar results were noted for the content of phytochemical constituents in fruit latex for glycosides, saponins and terpenoids as well as in leave extract for glycosides, flavonoid, phenol, reducing sugar, tannins, terpenoids, saponins.

Study on Measuring Proteolytic Activity and Phyto Chemical Analysis of Fruit Latex and Leaves Extract of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cv. CO2

<div>Background: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) belonging to Caricaceae family has long been recognized as a wonder fruit of the tropics and grown predominantly for its delicious taste and extraction of its digestive constituent papain. As vegetative growth and flowering is simultaneous in this crop, supply of requisite amount of nutrients is necessary during the active growth period, which is possible through fertigation. Knowledge on correct dose of fertilizers to be provided through fertigation is very crucial. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the period 2018-2020 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram to investigate the response of fertigation and foliar spray on yield and fruit quality of papaya variety Surya. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with combination of four fertigation doses of 75%, 100%, 125% and 150% RDF of N and K and three foliar sprays (1% 19:19:19, 0.5% ZnSO4+0.3% borax and water spray) which where compared with soil application of recommended dose of NPK (control 1) and soil application of NPK plant-1 year-1 based on soil test data as organic manures as combination of FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1 (control 2). 
 
Result: The findings of the study revealed that application of 100% RD of N and K through fertigation at weekly interval from one MAP to 20 MAP and foliar sprays of 0.5% ZnSO4 and 0.3% borax at 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th MAP (T5) along with basal application of 850 g rock phosphate and 15 kg FYM improved the yield and fruit quality parameters and can be recommended for commercial papaya cultivation.</div>

Study on Measuring Proteolytic Activity and Phyto Chemical Analysis of Fruit Latex and Leaves Extract of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Cv. CO₂

Response of Fertigation and Foliar Sprays on Yield and Fruit Quality of Papaya Variety Surya