Distribution and Variation of the Catalytic Activity of the Enzyme Responsible for Carthamin Synthesis in Safflower Seedlings

Catalytic activity o f the enzyme which mediates the synthesis o f carthamin was examined in the etiolated hypocotyl tissues o f Carthamus tinctorius L. The enzyme was optim ally active at pH 5.2 in citrate buffer. The activity o f the enzyme was highest in the extract from 2-day-old seedlings after sowing and it declined sharply with tissue ageing. The enzyme activity was localized in the apical region o f the seedlings and moreover it was preferentially associated with the cytosol fraction.