Aim and Background. Per o xi d ases a re o n e o f t he m o st i m p o rta n t enz y mes p artici pa ting in many p h y s i o lo g i c al p r ocesses in p l a n ts. Saffron, (Cr o c us s a t i v u s L) , is a v a luable plant w hi c h ha s b e en g r o w n s i nce a n ci e n t ti m es t o d a t e. B u t t he r e is a l a ck o f s u ffi c ient b i o c he mi c al a n d ph y s i ol og i cal i nf o r m a tio n abo u t t h e s ta g es o f t h e s a f fr on g r ow t h , d e v e l o p m en t a n d t he i m portant en z y m e s in v o l v e d . Peroxi d ases in C r ocus sa t i v u s L. ca n b e a m arke r o f di s t i n c t ph y s i ol o gi c a l o r d e v e l o p m e n ta l p r o c e ss e s , a s show n b e f or e by l a bo r ato r y st u d i es.

Materials and Methods. In this study, the Crucus Sativus L. corms in two different months –July and November as dormant and waking stages of saffron growth, sampled and Corms were us e d for t h e enz y me e x trac t i on. It was partially purified with ion-exchange chromatography .

Results. T h e r e sul t s showed that a m o u n t of t o t al pro t e i n in w a k i ng c o rms i s a b o u t t w o tim e s in c o m p arison with t h e dor m ant cor m s. The high a c tiv i t y o f t h e p l a n t in wa k i ng sta t e corresponds with m o re p rotein con t e n t.

Conclusion. T h is d iff eren ce m ig h t be pa rt i a l l y d u e t o t he dif f e r e nt p a tte r n s o f th e e n z y m e gly c o s yl a t i on a nd s ur f a c e ele c t r o s t a ti c c ha r g es .