Pectinase production bySclerotium rolfsii: Effect of culture conditions

Screening for pectinolytic activity of wood-rotting basidiomycetes and characterization of the enzymes

Seventy-five fungal strains from different groups of basidiomycetes, newly isolated from rotten wood, were screened for pectinolytic activity. Despite the fact that basidiomycetes are scarcely referred to as pectinase producers, the polygalacturonase (PG) activity was detected in 76% of the strains; 16% with activity higher than 40 nkat/g, 40% between 13.3 and 40 nkat/g, and 44% with activity lower than 13.3 nkat/g. The highest productions were obtained among the fungi from order Aphyllophorales, family Polyporaceae. The characterization of the enzymes from the highest PG producers (Lentinus sp., Gloeophyllum striatum, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Schizophyllum commune) showed optimum temperature for catalytic activity at 60-70 degrees C and two peaks of pH optimum (3.5-4.5 and 8.5-9.5). The enzymes exhibited high pH stability (3.0-11.0) but after incubation at 40 degrees C for 1 h their activity dropped by 18-73%.

Applications of pectinases in the commercial sector: a review

Pectinases are one of the upcoming enzymes of fruit and textile industries. These enzymes break down complex polysaccharides of plant tissues into simpler molecules like galacturonic acids. The role of acidic pectinases in bringing down the cloudiness and bitterness of fruit juices is well established. Recently, there has been a good number of reports on the application of alkaline pectinases in the textile industry for the retting and degumming of fiber crops, production of good quality paper, fermentation of coffee and tea, oil extractions and treatment of pectic waste water. This review discusses various types of pectinases and their applications in the commercial sector.