Abstract:
Eleven species of Piper including Piper rugrum were studied for variations in isoenzymes of three
enzymes viz., peroxidase, esterase and glutaraate oxaloacetate transaminase. On grouping based on isoenzyme
similarity, P. nigrum Linn.. P. pseudonigrum Velayudhan and Amalraj, P. bababudani Rahirnan and P.
galeatum DC formed one group while P. argyrophyllum Miq. and P. attenuatum Buch-Hara constituted the
second group and P. chaha Hunter, P. hapnium Miq. and P. colubrinum Link emerged as the third group.
P. betle Linn, and P. longum Linn, showed their distinctness from the rest of the species. Least similarity
was observed between P. colubrinum on one side and P. pseudonigrum and P. bahabudam on the other side.
