Inhibition kinetics of catechin and ferulic acid on polyphenoloxidase from cephalothorax of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Inhibition kinetics and mode of catechin and ferulic acid towards polyphenoloxidase (PPO) from cephalothorax of Pacific white shrimp were investigated. Catechin or ferulic acid inhibited quinone formation catalysed by PPO in a dose dependent manner. Catechin showed mixed type reversible inhibition with Ki value of 1.4 mM, whereas ferulic acid exhibited non-competitive reversible inhibition with Ki value of 37 mM. With increasing concentrations, both catechin and ferulic acid had higher copper (Cu2+) reduction and copper chelating capacity (P < 0.05). Catechin or ferulic acid could react with intermediated browning reaction products, thereby preventing dopachrome formation. Thus, catechin or ferulic acid could inhibit melanosis in Pacific white shrimp with different modes of inhibition towards PPO.