Abstract: The production of polygalacturonase during the deterioration of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) by Rhizopus arrhizus Fisher was investigated. The enzyme was partially purified by a combination of ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Two peaks of absorption, with molecular weight estimates of approximately 166 000 Daltons and 60 260 Daltons were obtained.