Anthocyanin content in Sicilian sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L) Osbeck] varieties known as blood oranges (Tarocco, Moro e Sanguinello) undergoes changes during the ripening process. Concentration increases during ripening, reaching a maximum in the fully ripe fruit. At latter stage of maturity, a decrease of these pigments is observed. This study aims to evaluate beta-D-glucosidase activity (PG, EC 3.2.1.21) in Tarocco variety, the most common Sicilian blood orange, and to determine the main physicochemical and kinetic properties of this enzyme in order to underline its role on anthocyanins degradation during ripening. The enzymatic extract was assayed on both anthocyanins extract from Tarocco juice and a synthetic substrate (p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, pNPG). It was observed a 400 times higher specificity of the synthetic substrate than the natural substrate. Kinetic studies and physicochemical characterization of PG such as V-max and K-m (V-max 2.1 x 10(-2) and K-m 2.67 x 10(-4) using pNPG as substrate; V-max 3.3 x 10(-3) and K-m 2.1 x 10(-1) using natural substrate), optimum conditions of pH (4.5) and temperature (60 degrees C), fructose and glucose inhibition (competitive inhibition by glucose) and thermal stability (decimal reduction time 3 min at 75 degrees C and decimal reduction temperature 9.5 degrees C) were also performed. P-D-Glucosidase activity seems involved on anthocyanins degradation during final ripening stage of fruit. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.