Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) were isolated from cell suspensions of two cultivars of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and their biochemical characteristics were studied. PPO from Coker 312, an embryogenic cultivar, showed a highest affinity to catechol 20 mM, and PPO from R405-2000, a nonembryogenic cultivar, showed a highest affinity to 4-methylcatechol 20 mM. The optimal pH for PPO activity was 7.0 and 6.0 for Coker 312 and R405-2000, respectively. The enzyme had an optimal temperature of 25 degrees C and was relatively stable at 20-30 degrees C. Reducing sodium metabisulfite, ascorbic acid, dithiothreitol, SnCl(2), and FeCl(3) markedly inhibited PPO activity, whereas its activity was highly enhanced by Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+) and was moderately inhibited by Ba(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+). The analysis revealed a single band on the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which corresponded to a molecular weight of 55 kDa for Coker 312 and 42 kDa for R405-2000.