Pectinase Activity of some Micromycetes Isolated from Agricultural Soils

Pectinases have multiple nature and various forms which are necessary for the hydrolysis of pectin in several conventional industrial and natural processes. In this investigation fourteen fungal strains which isolated from agricultural soils ,were screened for pectinase activity. Pectinase activity were measured in vitro by assaying released reducing sugar from pectin as sole carbon source. Aspergillus foetidus and Aspergillus aculeatus showed highest pectinase activity. Rhizoctonia solani (AG-4) and Trichoderma reesei S578 showed the highest level of protein production. Reducing sugars concentration were different between 13th and 15th then reduced to 29th days after inoculation. Secreted proteins increased to 11th and 13th then decreased to 29th days. Optimum pH and temprature for pectinase activity were 5 and 50°C respectively. Glucose was detected as a degradation product by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Electrophoresis of the extracellular proteins of A. foetidus and A. aculeatus revealed two major proteins having a molecular mass of 79 and 63 kDa respectively.