Optimization, purification and characterization of pectinases from pectinolytic strain, Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 10559.

A strain (MPUAT-2), isolated from coconut hull and identified as Aspergillus foetidus MTCC 10559, was used for pectinase production. Optimum pectinase production was obtained at pH 8.0 and temperature 35 degrees C under static conditions in submerged fermentation after 5 days of incubation. Orange peel, a byproduct of fruit industry, was used as a sole carbon source (3% w/v) to produce high pectinase, thus making the process cost effective. The culture filtrate was analyzed for pectin methyl esterase (PME) and endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG) enzymes. The enzymes, PME and endo-PG were purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation and molecular exclusion chromatography (Sephadex G-75) with corresponding recovery of 39.3 and 44.3%. The partially purified enzymes were also characterized for their kinetic properties.