Pectinolytic activity of wild-type filamentous fungi fermented on agro-wastes
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Date
2010-12-18
Authors
Ebuehi, O.A.T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Microbiology Research
Abstract
Five filamentous fungi (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillum chrysogenum
and Trichoderma sp.) isolated from agrowaste samples in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria, depolymerized
citrus pectin. Best pectolytic activity, as indicated by the diameter of clear, hydrolyzed zones on the
medium plates containing commercial citrus pectin as sole carbon source, was obtained with A. niger,
closely followed by P. chrysogenum. The two fungi also produced pectinases with different agrowastes
(pineapple peel, orange peels, sawdust, sugarcane pulps and wheat bran) as the sole carbon source.
The highest pectinase activity by both fungi was produce with wheat bran as the sole carbon source.
Peak pectinase activity of 350.28 ± 2.82 and 478.25 ± 3.04 IU mg
-1
protein was respectively obtained by
submerged fermentation (SmF) at 48 h for A. niger and P.chrysogenum in media containing wheat bran
as the sole carbon source. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) yielded higher levels of pectinase activity
than the SmF. The strains of A. niger and P. chrysogenum have good prospect for pectinase
production. Wheat bran is a good low-cost fermentation substrate for pectinase production by the
investigated fungi.
Description
Keywords
Filamentous fungi, agro-wastes, pectinolytic activity, fermentation, pectinase production.
Citation
U. A. Okafor, V. I. Okochi, Shalom Nwodo Chinedu , O. A. T. Ebuehi and B. M. Onygeme Okerenta