Production and characterization of Penicillium brasilianum pectinases with regard to industrial application

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production of pectinase by an isolated strain of Penicillium brasilianum in a bioreactor and to consider its potential for industrial applications (i.e. fruit juice). The optimization of production was achieved through experimental design. The maximum exo-polygalacturonase (Exo-PG) production in the bioreactor was 53.8 U mL−1 under the conditions of 180 rpm, an aeration rate of 1.5 vvm, 30 °C, pHinitial of 5.5, 5 × 106 spores mL−1, 32 g L−1 pectin, 10 g L−1 of yeast extract and 0.5 g L−1 magnesium sulfate and bioproduction for 36 h. The production of Exo-PG in the bioreactor was 1.3 times higher than that obtained in shake flasks, with aeration (1.5 vvm) and agitation (180 rpm) control. The crude enzyme complex, beyond the pectinolytic activity of Exo-PG (53.8 U mL−1), also contained activity pectin methylesterase (6.0 U mL−1) and pectin lyase (6.61 U mL−1). At a crude enzyme complex with a concentration of 0.5% (v/v), viscosity of peach juice was reduced by 11.66%, turbidity was reduced by 13.71% and clarification was increased by 26.92%. Based on the present results, we can conclude that the new strain of isolated P. brasilianum produced high amounts of pectinases in a bioreactor with mechanical agitation, and has the potential to be applied to in the clarification of juices.