Production and optimization of fungal pectinase from fusarium sp.,

In the current study Fusarium sp., capable of producing novel pectinase was isolated from natural environment. The isolate was subjected to varying parameters of incubation conditions as time, pH, temperature and substrate concentration for optimal enzyme production. An optimal production of pectinase was observed when the culture was maintained at 27°C producing upto 40 U/ml of the enzyme. At pH 6 and at an initial substrate concentration (pectinase) of 0.5% the productivity was about 46 U/ml and 40 U/ml of pectinase enzyme respectively. At optimized conditions mass production of the enzyme was done and purified using acetone precipitation. The activity of the crude enzyme was further characterized by subjecting it to varying pH and temperature ranges. The crude enzyme was able to retain its activity well between the pH 4 and 8 respectively and at a temperature range of 48°C.