ABSTRACTPolyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity was estimated in the whole seed and its morphological components of germinated chickpea, pigeon‐pea, greengram and blackgram. Increase in enzyme activity on germination was highest in blackgram and lowest in chickpea. Pyrogallol oxidizing activity was more predominant in the legume seeds and the seed fractions. Embryo was richest in PPO activity but the cotyledons were the major contributor to the whole PPO activity. Except in black‐gram, the seed coat fraction was devoid of any PPO activity. The seed coat of pigeonpea and chickpea contained a water soluble and heat stable PPO inhibitor. Induction of the enzyme on germination did not fully explain the reduction in tannin content of the legume seeds. Role of polyphenol oxidase in seed germination is briefly discus
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