Determination of Local Bitter Gourd 30 KDa Protein and Horticultural Characteristics

Abstract

30 kilodalton (kDa) protein was determined on different parts of local bitter gourd and horticultural characteristics of 4 accessions, accession numbers 3, 7 , 8 and 13 were studied. They were grown at Chiang Mai University, from April 2002 to April 2004. Randomized complete block  design (RCBD) with 3 replications was used. Results showed that, the 4 accessions had number of days to 50% female flowering from 55 to 68 days, accession number 7 gave the earliest days to 50% female flowering ranged of 55 days and accession number 13 gave the longest days to 50% female flowering of 68 days. Botanical characteristics of the 4 accessions,  average seed number per fruit of the 4 accessions ranged from 15 to 30 seeds, accession number 8 gave the highest seed number per fruit of  30 seeds and accession number 3 gave the lowest seed number per fruit of  15 seeds. Average fruit yields of the 4 accessions ranged from 320.09 to 1,186.44 kg/rai, accession number 7 gave the highest fresh fruit yield of  1,186.44 kg/rai and accession number 13 gave the lowest fresh fruit yield of  320.09 kg/rai.

30 kilodalton (kDa) protein was determined on local bitter gourd leaves at 10, 20, 30 and 40 days after fully opened. Fruit and endosperm of the 4 accessions at 8, 16 and 24 days after anthesis (self-pollination by hands). Protein was precipitated by ammonium and 30 kilodalton protein was determined by ELISA method per 5 gram of freshed individual sample. Endosperm showed the highest amount of 30 kilodalton protein in comparison with leaves and fruits. Endosperm of the 4 accessions at 24 days after anthesis gave the highest levels of 30 kilodalton protein, ranged from 23.09 to 47.97 mg, accession number 3 showed the highest 30 kilodalton protein of 47.97 mg. Leaves of the 4 accessions at 30 days after fully opened had the highest level of 30 kilodalton protein, ranged from 0.044 to 0.1154 mg, accession number 13 showed the highest level of 30 kilodalton protein of 0.1154 mg. Fruits of the 4 accessions at 24 days after anthesis  of showed the highest levels of 30 kilodalton protein, ranged from 0.0071 to 0.0149 mg, accession number 13 showed the highest level of 30 kilodalton protein of 0.0149 g.