Production of Enzymes and Culture Filtrates by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Penz. Causing Banana Fruit Rot

Abstract

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was found to be associated with banana fruit rot. The fungus produces pectinolytic (Polygalacturonase trans eliminase, Pectin trans eliminase, Polygalacturonase and Pectin methyl esterase) and cellulolytic (cellulase) enzymes in vitro. Hence their involvement in degradation of fruits becomes obvious. Culture filtrate of C. gloeosporioides produced maximum fruit rotting in cork wounding (5.0) followed by carborundum rub method (4.0). Maximum Polygalacturonase trans eliminase (85.73 %) and Pectin trans eliminase (71.43 %) activity was recorded at 30 min time interval while Polygalacturonase was at par with 25 and 30 min (85.73 and 85.33 %, respectively). Cellulase activity was similar at both 25 and 30 min (58.33 %) time intervals.