Changes in the electrophoresis procedures were introduced to obtain a better isozymatic phenotypes of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne). Extracts of eight access of pumpkin's leaves were subjected to electrophoresis analysis in order to reveal the following systems: esterase (EST), acid phosphatase (ACP), glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), malato dehydrogenase (MDH) and peroxidase (PO). The results pointed out the inefficiency of the extractor buffer used, and the satisfactory quality of maize starch gel electrophoresis in the resolution of EST, ACP, GOT and MDH systems. For PO system a better effect of "molecular sieving" was only possible when potato starch gel (Sigma) was used. Adjusting the starch cooking time, handling the electric current, preparing the staining solutions and revealing time indicated the best protocol to the electrophoresis process.
pumpkin; Cucurbita maxima Duchesne; electrophoresis; isozymes