Authors:
Yasser Bakri*, Yasser Akeed, Ruba Audi
Volume 28, Issue 4;
Pages: 334-339; 2022
ISSN: 2069-0053 (print) (former ISSN: 1453-1399), Agroprint;
ISSN (online): 2068-9551
The microbial enzymes utilization has found broad application in technological processes of different industrial. The aim of this work was to evaluate polygalacturonase production by fungi isolated from soil. Screening of three hundred and thirty-six fungal isolates for polygalacturonase production were conducted. 206 were positive in assay plates for pectin depolymerization as evidenced by clear hydrolyzation halos. Among them, 11 presenting considerable pectinolytic activity were cultivated in solid-state fermentation for polygalacturonase production. The FSS62 isolate was the best polygalacturonase producer. The phylogenetic analysis based on 5,8S gene sequence similarities for the FSS62 isolate was Penicillium chrysogenum with 98 % homology. The cultivation of the FSS62 isolate on agricultural wastes resulted in high quantities of polygalacturonase (403 IU/g) using beet pulp after 72 hours of incubation. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 5.0 and 50 °C.