Abstract

ISOLATION AND SCREENING OF PECTIN LYASE PRODUCING FUNGI FROM SOIL SAMPLE OF DEAD ORGANIC MATTERS

*D.K. Usha, G. Kanimozhi and A. Panneerselvam

Abstract

Pectinolytic enzymes are one of the several extracellular enzymes produced by fungi that break down pectin, a polysaccharide substrate that is found in the cell walls of plants. Pectinases are both plant and microbial origin. Pectin lyase extensively used in the clarification of fruit juices and wines. Currently, they are widely used in industry for retting of natural fibers and extraction of oils from vegetable and citrus peels. In the present investigation, several fungi were isolated from dead and decayed organic matter of soil on pectin agar medium. The following fungal organisms Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A.oryzae, A. sydowii, Trichothecium sp., Penicillium sp., Trichoderma harzianum and T. viride were screened and tested for pectinolytic activity by plate assay. Zone of clearance observed in plate assay showed the production of pectin lyase by these fungi. The plate Assay method clearly indicated the ability of these fungi to produce pectin lyase enzymes, especially the polygalacturonase enzyme.

Keywords: Pectin lyase, polygalacturonase, Pectin, Aspergillus spp.