Optimization Of Pectinase Activity By Paecilomyces Variotii

Pectinase producing microorganisms were isolated from fruit waste disposable area soil samples of Pazhamuthir Nilayam, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu and screened in modified Czapek- Dox media with citrus pectin as sole carbon source. Among the isolates, only four fungal strains showed hydrolyzing zone of pectinolytic activity. Since Paecilomyces variotii showed maximum clearance zone of 36 mm (out of colony diameter of 57 mm), it was selected as acandidate for the study. The optimum conditions of pectinase production was carried out by growing Paecilomyces variotii in different fruit waste substrate at varying pH (4, 45, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5 and 8) and temperatures (30C, 35C, 40C, 45C and 50C). The results of the investigation revealed that maximum pectinase production of 9.05 U mg-1protein and of 9.03 U mg-1protein respectively were observed in 3% banana peel as substrateat both extracellular and intracellular level. A significantly pectinase activity of 6.19 Umg-1 protein was observed at an optimum pH of 6.5, and at a temperature of 40C (4.73 Umg-1 protein) at an intracellular level on the 7th day of incubation.