Journal of Bioprocessing & Biotechniques

Polygalacturonase enzyme has industrial application in extraction and clarification of fruit juices. Production of polygalacturonase (PGU) by Aspergillus awamori MTCC 9166 was studied in solid state fermentation using different pectin-rich fruit wastes like apple peel, banana peel, citrus (orange) peel, jackfruit rind, mango peel, and pine apple peel. Sugar free fruit peels were prepared by water treatment and dried materials were used as substrates for PGU production. Highest enzyme production was with jack fruit rind and mango peel at 65% moisture content, 28ºC, pH 5.2, 106 spores/gm inoculum size for jack fruit rind and 108 spores/gm for mango peel and 96 h incubation period. These studies indicate that locally available waste raw materials, jack fruit rind and mango peel, have good potential as substrates for PGU production. Use of such waste raw material is not only cost effective but also caters to the cause of disposing of waste at no cost, which is important for developing Indian economy. This is the first report on use of fruit wastes as substrates for production of polygalacturonases by Aspergillus awamori MTCC 9166 in solid state fermentation. The enzyme production by this strain is more than the reported strains.