Pectinolytic Enzyme Activities Research Articles

Calcium Nutrition in Fig Orchards Enhance Fruit Quality at Harvest and Storage

Due to the high perishability of figs, calcium stands out as an important nutrient for orchard management. This study aims to study the pre-harvest applications of calcium chloride in fig orchards. The fig trees were sprayed with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% CaCl2, and fruits were thereafter stored for 0, 7, 14 and 21 d. The variables analysed were the concentration of calcium in leaves and fruits, weight loss, fruit decay, pectinolytic enzyme activity, and physical and chemical attributes of the fruits; CaCl2 sprays enhanced fruit Ca2+ concentration in leaves (14.03%) and fruits (29.3%) and were effective in reducing polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase activity, weight loss and fruit decay. Pre-treatment with 1% CaCl2 provided fruits with larger diameters, greater firmness, and higher levels of total phenolic compounds in both fruit peel and pulp. The pre-harvest application at 1% CaCl2 showed to be a promising technique in producing high quality fruits and extended storage by approximately 7 to 10 days. These findings may be useful in planning new cultural practices for fig orchards that produce high-quality fruit with desirable characteristics for growers and consumers.

Changes of pectin structure and microbial community composition in strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) during cold storage

Strawberry is very perishable fruit with rapid postharvest loss of quality and high susceptibility to microbial infections. In this work we study pectin modifications and microbiota and mycobiota composition in strawberry in conventional and organic cultivation systems. The enzymatic activity during postharvest storage of both types of strawberry was divided at the fifth day of storage into two phases: postharvest changes and rotting. Pectin molecules extracted from organic strawberries were longer and more branched compared to the conventional strawberries; however a more noticeable reorganization of molecular structure occurred. The sequential action of the pectinolytic enzymes had a direct effect on the molecular structure of pectin fractions. The observed changes in pectin structure relate to the synergistic activity of pectinolytic enzymes and some microorganisms. The organic system was characterized by a greater number and variety of bacteria and fungi during storage as compared to the conventional system.

Pathophysiology of Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. Dianthi in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

The bio-chemical changes occurred in the carnation after inoculation with F. oxysporum f.sp. dianthi was studied under in vitro. Carnation plants inoculated with fourteen isolates of F.oxysporum f.sp.dianthi and monitored for their ability to production of fungal pectin-degrading enzymes viz., Pectin Methyl Esterase (PME), Polygalacturonase (PG) and Pectin Trans Eliminase (PTE) involved in development of disease symptoms. Production of pectinolytic enzymes in carnation plants were assessed from 2 days up to 8 days after inoculation at 48h intervals. The accumulation of these enzymes increased in two days after inoculation and attained a peak at six days after inoculation and slowly declined thereafter in all the inoculated plants. Among the fourteen isolates, YRPFOD2 had maximum ability to increase the activity of pectinolytic enzymes viz., Pectin Methyl Esterase (0.49 μ mole hydrogen ion / min / ml), Polygalacturonase (16.11% reduction in viscosity) and Pectin Trans Eliminase (57.59 % reduction in viscosity) after six days of inoculation in infected plants.

Changes in cell wall neutral sugar composition related to pectinolytic enzyme activities and intra-flesh textural property during ripening of ten apricot clones

The changes of texture and cell wall characteristics of apricot were investigated in ten clones at two maturity stages. Fruit firmness, cell wall composition and enzyme activity of three apricot flesh zones were analysed. The AIS (alcohol-insoluble solids) were characterised by high amounts of uronic acid (179–300 mg g−1 AIS) and relatively high amounts of cellulosic glucose (118–214 mg g−1 AIS). The methylesterification degree varied significantly among the different clones ranging from 58 to 97 in Ab 5 and Mans 15 respectively. Conversely to zones firmness, enzymatic activity was higher in pistil followed by equatorial and peduncle zones. The ripening effect has been observed in firmness evolution according to enzymatic activity. This correlation allowed a classification of clones depending on softening. Among studied clones, Ab 5, Marouch 16, Mans 15 and Cg 2 were less influenced by softening and have the advantage of a technological valorisation for the processing industry.

Pulsed electric fields affect endogenous enzyme activities, respiration and biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in carrots

Abstract Pulsed electric fields (PEF) can be applied to induce accumulation of bioactive compounds in plant tissues to obtain commodities with health-promoting properties. However, causes of this accumulation are not fully understood as it may result from either an improvement in extraction or an activation of stress-related biosynthetic pathways. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PEF on the physiological response and elucidating the causes underpinning changes in carrot phenolic contents. Respiration rate, oxidative and pectinolytic enzyme activities, synthesis, and content of phenolic compounds were evaluated in PEF-treated (580 J kg−1) carrots after treatment and through storage (12, 24 and 36 h) at 4 °C. The highest production of CO2 and volatile organic compounds was observed 12 h after PEF treatment whereas the largest increases in total phenolic content (80.2 %), p-OH-benzoic (94.7 %), chlorogenic acid (74.9 %) and ferulic acid (52.2 %) occurred 24 h after treatment. Enhanced in phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity indicated that the increase in phenolic compounds may be mainly due to the triggering of biosynthesis pathways instead of structural modifications of the food matrix. Electropermeabilization also induced considerable changes in pectinolytic enzyme activities (increases in pectinmethylesterase and decreases in polygalacturonase) whereas no clear trends were observed for oxidative enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) during storage. These results suggest that volatile compounds generation, changes in respiration rate and the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds are induced by PEF application, as a plant defence response to stress.

Development of strategy for simultaneous enhanced production of alkaline xylanase-pectinase enzymes by a bacterial isolate in short submerged fermentation cycle

The aim of this study is to enhance the production of industrially valuable xylanase and pectinase enzymes in short duration, using agrowaste extracted substrates. Conventional cum statistical multifactor analysis approaches were used in order to evaluate the effect of crude extracted substrates, supplemented for the production of xylanase-pectinase enzymes. Incorporation of crude extracted xylan (1.2 mg/ml of inoculum) and pectin (4.8 mg/ml of inoculum) substrates in inoculum resulted in maximal xylanase (320 ± 15) and pectinase titre (90 ± 8) after 48 h, using 2% wheat bran and 2% citrus peel in production medium with 48 h of fermentation time, with one variable factor at a time approach. The best condition obtained after performing statistical multifactor interaction analysis includes 5.50 mg/ml of pectin in inoculum,1.50 mg/ml of xylan in inoculum, wheat bran 3%, temperature 37.5 °C, time 48 h, 7 mg/ml of pectin in production medium, peptone 1.05%, inoculum size 2% and inoculum age of 20 h, with alkaline xylanase activity of 415.22 ± 18.50 IU/ml and alkaline pectinase activity of 109.10 ± 8.80 IU/ml. Activity of different pectinolytic enzymes per ml was also calculated, with 18.98 IU of exo-polymethylgalacturonase, 0.14 IU of endo-polymethylgalacturonase, 80 IU of exo-polygalacturonase, 0.28 IU of endo-polygalacturonase, 1.42 IU of polymethylgalacturonate lyase, 1.47 IU of polygalacturonate lyase, 0.15 IU of pectin esterase. This is the first report mentioning the utilization of crude extracted xylan and extracted pectin in inoculum to get the increment in the activity of both alkaline xylanase-pectinase enzymes simultaneously under short submerged fermentation cycle.

Combinatorial efficacy of Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens to enhance suppression of cell wall degrading enzymes produced by Fusarium wilt of Arachis hypogaea.L

Fusarium oxysporum, the soil borne pathogen causes vascular wilt, on majority of crop plants. It has been demonstrated that two different species of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas fluorescens suppress disease by different mechanisms. Therefore, application of a mixture of these biocontrol agents, and thus of several suppressive mechanisms, may represent a viable control strategy. A necessity for biocontrol by combinations of biocontrol agents can be the compatibility of the co-inoculated micro-organisms. Hence, compatibility between Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens that have the ability to suppress Fusarium oxysporum in vitro on the activity of pectinolytic enzymes of Fusarium oxysporum. The activity of pectinolytic enzymes, i.e. pectin methyl esterase, endo and exo polymethylgalacturonases and exo and endo pectin trans eliminases produced by Fusarium oxysporum (Control) was higher. Maximum inhibition of pectin methylesterase, exo and endo polymethylgalacturonase and exo and endopectin trans eliminase was shown by culture filtrate of Trichoderma viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens (Tv+Pf) (1+2%), followed by Trichoderma harzianum + Pseudomonas fluorescens, (Th +Pf) (1.5+2%) and Trichoderma viride + Trichoderma harzianum (Tv+Th) (1+1.5%). However, pathogenecity suppression of Fusarium oxysporum, a causative of Arachis hypogaea. L by the compatible combination of Trichodema viride + Pseudomonas fluorescens (1+2%) was significantly better as compared to the single bio-agent. This indicates that specific interactions between biocontrol agents influence suppression of pathogenicity factors directly by combinations of these compatible bio-agents.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (2): 36-42, December, 2017

Changing of biochemical parameters and cell wall polysaccharides distribution during physiological development of tomato fruit

This study was aimed at discovering an impact of biochemical parameters (like content of cell wall polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid or activity of pectinolytic enzymes) on cell wall microstructure during physiological fruit development. Cell wall microstructure as well as changes in the polysaccharides distribution were examined by confocal Raman microscopy. Also there was a need to simultaneous usage of reference method which is immunolabeling. A tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum cv Cerise) has been selected to observe the changes taking place in the fruit cell wall as it recently has been recognized as a model species for exploring fruit development processes such as fruit formation and ripening. Our studies showed that chemical images allows to depict changes in spatial distribution of polysaccharides in plant cell wall (including the middle lamella area), thus this technique allows to observation of cell wall degradation during tomato ripening (mainly pectic polysaccharides degradation). It seems that high level of pectinolytic enzymes activity and increasing content of ascorbate and hence decrease of pectins content have a significant impact on spatial distribution of biopolymers in fruit cell wall.

Towards the Use of Biochemical Indicators in the Raw Fruit for Improved Texture of Pasteurized Apricots

Quality of canned apricots is seriously compromised by the loss of their flesh firmness during pasteurization. This work conducted a comprehensive characterization of the biochemical properties of raw apricots, as well as of the tissue softening during pasteurization using a multimethodology approach. Biochemical and textural results were analyzed to seek possible correlations, with the aim to elucidate which properties could be used as indicators in raw fruit for obtaining pasteurized products with better texture. There were large effects of cultivar, ripening stage, and intra-fruit zone on the biochemical and textural properties of apricots. The titratable acidity, amongst ethylene production, soluble solid content, and pectinolytic enzyme activities, was the biochemical property that correlated more robustly to the loss of texture. It had significant correlation coefficients of −0.9 and 0.5 with firmness of pasteurized fruit and loss of firmness, respectively. We propose titratable acidity to be used as indicator for raw material selection and/or to be modulated during apricot food processing.

Rheological and chemical properties of pectin enriched fractions from different sources extracted with citric acid

Yield, properties and functionality of pectins depend on the source material and method of extraction. The objective of this work was to compare pectinolytic enzyme activity in fresh pulp as well as the physicochemical and rheological properties of polysaccharides extracted with citric acid from six new potential sources: fruit materials – peach, blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry, plum and a vegetable Source: carrot. The uronic acid content of polysaccharides extracted in citric acid depended on pectinolytic enzymes activity in fresh plant tissues and ranged between 16.5 and 37.1%; which are slightly lower values than those of commercial pectins isolated from citrus and apple. The values of examined rheological parameters (viscosity, thixotropic effect, flow behaviour) demonstrated quality and possibility of pectin enriched fraction application as a food texture modifier. Pectin enriched fractions extracted from seasonal fruit and carrot with citric acid showed considerable potential as thickeners and gelling agents.

Enzymatic profile of blackberries stored under different temperatures cooling

At low temperatures is the most important factor in reducing the deterioration and maximizing the life of the blackberry. The cold storage slows physiological processes such as respiration and the production of vital heat, leading to senescence of fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of enzyme blackberries under different storage temperatures. Blackberries of "Tupy" cultivar were packed in polyethylene (PET); randomly assigned to different refrigeration temperature (0°C ± 1 C, 5°C ± 1ºC and 8°C ± 1°C with 90% ± 5% relative humidity) during 12 days and the evaluations were recorded at 0, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 days of storage in accordance with the lifecycle maintenance of blackberries. The following variables were determined: firmness, total pectin, soluble pectin, pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenyalalanine ammonia-lyase. The work was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatments were arranged in a 3x6 factorial double, where the first factor refers to three cooling temperatures and the second six storage times with three replications, each experimental unit consisted of approximately 120g. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability and regression analysis. The temperature of 0°C prolonged the lifetimeof blackberry for twelve days, keeping the texture and lower activity of pectinolytic enzymes and of phenylpropanoid metabolism.

Efficient polygalacturonase production from agricultural and agro-industrial residues by solid-state culture of Aspergillus sojae under optimized conditions.

Previously identified fungal pectinase producers of the species Aspergillus sojae were used for optimization of polygalacturonase production in solid-state fermentation applying Design of Experiment. The effects of media composition and several process parameters, like inoculum size, moisture level, incubation time and temperature on polygalacturonase activity were studied in screening and optimization investigations. Utilization of agricultural and agro-industrial by-products provided the establishment of a cost-efficient and sustainable process for enzyme production. Comparison of pectinase production by A. sojae ATCC 20235 and A. sojae CBS 100928 under optimized conditions yielded 6.9 times higher polygalacturonase activity by A. sojae ATCC 20235. Highest enzyme yield (909.5 ± 2.7 U/g) was obtained by A. sojae ATCC 20235 after 8 days at 30°C applying 30% sugar beet pulp as inducer substrate in combination with wheat bran as medium wetted at 160% with 0.2 M HCl. Furthermore, an overview of pectinolytic enzyme activities present in the extracts of both strains is provided. Protein profiles of both strains are given by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, as well as zymograms for pectinolytic enzymes in comparison to commercial pectinase preparations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2193-1801-3-742) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pectinase enzyme-complex production by Aspergillus spp. in solid-state fermentation: A comparative study

A comparative evaluation of three Aspergillus species according to their pectinase production in solid-state fermentation was performed. Solid-state fermentation offers several potential advantages for enzyme production by fungal strains. Utilization of agricultural by-products as low-cost substrates for microbial enzyme production resulted in an economical and promising process. The pectinolytic enzyme activities of two Aspergillus sojae strains were compared to a known producer, Aspergillus niger IMI 91881, and to A. sojae ATCC 20235, which was re-classified as Aspergillus oryzae. Evaluation of polymethylgalacturonase and polygalacturonase activity was performed as well as exo- vs. endo-enzyme activity in the crude pectinase enzyme-complex of the mentioned strains. Furthermore, a plate diffusion assay was applied to determine the presence and action of proteases in the crude extracts. A. sojae ATCC 20235 with highest polymethylgalacturonase activity and highest polygalacturonase activity both exo- and endo-enzyme activity, is a promising candidate for industrial pectinase production, a group of enzymes with high commercial value, in solid-state fermentation processes. Beside the enzymatic assays a protein profile of each strain is given by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and in addition species-specific zymograms for pectinolytic enzymes were observed, revealing the differences in protein pattern of the A. sojae strains to the re-classified A. oryzae.

Kinetic study of high pressure microbial and enzyme inactivation and selection of pasteurisation conditions for Valencia Orange Juice

SummaryKeeping quality of fresh orange juice is highly dependent on pectinolytic enzyme activity and the growth of spoilage microorganisms. The inactivation kinetics of indigenous pectin methylesterase (PME) and of the two more pressure resistant species of spoilage lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus plantarum and L. brevis in freshly squeezed Valencia orange juice under high hydrostatic pressure (100–500 MPa) combined with moderate temperature (20–40 °C) was investigated. PME inactivation followed first order kinetics with a residual PME activity (15%) at all pressure–temperature combinations used. The values of activation energy and activation volume were estimated at each pressure and at each temperature, respectively. Values of 90 kJ/mol and −30 mL/mol at reference pressure of 300 MPa and reference temperature of 35 °C were estimated respectively. The corresponding zT and zP values of LAB inactivation were also estimated at all conditions tested. Values of 19.5 °C and 95 MPa at reference pressure of 300 MPa and reference temperature of 30 °C were estimated respectively for L. plantarum, while the corresponding values for L. brevis were 40 °C and 82 MPa, respectively, at the same reference conditions. Pressure and temperature were found to act synergistically both for PME and LAB inactivation. The PME and LAB inactivation rate constants were expressed as functions of the temperature and pressure process conditions. These functions allow the determination of the pressure/temperature conditions that achieve the target enzyme and microbial inactivation at a selected processing time. The process conditions of 350 MPa at 35 °C for 2 min are proposed as effective for Valencia orange juice cold pasteurisation.

Evaluation of plant oils for suppression of crown rot disease and improvement of shelf life of banana (Musa spp. AAA subgroup, cv. Robusta)

SummaryFourteen plant oils were evaluated to control the crown rot disease caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum musae. Five of these, viz. Ocimum sanctum, Cymbopogan citratus, C. martinii, C. nardus and Pelargonium graveolens oils completely arrested the mycelial growth of both test pathogens at their lowest concentration compared to other oils. Besides, these plant oils have also inhibited the activity of cellulolytic and pectinolytic enzymes produced by these pathogens effectively under in vitro condition. The treatment of banana fruit var. Robusta (Cavendish‐AAA) with oils of O. sanctum, C. citratus, C. nardus and C. martinii not only reduced the crown rot severity significantly, but also increased the shelf life of banana fruits. However, under low‐temperature storage (14 °C) condition, O. sanctum oil increased the shelf life of banana fruits up to 48 days without affecting their organoleptic properties. Hence, O. sanctum oil could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicides for the management of crown rot disease.

Novel inhibition of some pathogenic fungal and bacterial species by new synthetic phytochemical coumarin derivatives

novel antifungal and antibacterial activities of new synthesized phytochemical coumarin compounds [H2L1, HL2 and H2L3] and their copper (II) complexes [L1Cu], [L2Cu(OAc)] and [(L3)Cu2(H2O)4(OAc)2] were evaluated against nine pathogenic fungal species (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium tetramera, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifer andVerticillium albo-atrum) and eight pathogenic bacterial species, from which four Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus citrus andStreptococcus pneumoniae) and four Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa andSalmonella typhi). The phytochemical copper (II) complex [L2Cu(OAc)] was the most effective derivative, where it reaches to 90 and 100% inhibition in the most sensitive pathogens (B. subtilis and A. flavus), respectively accompanied with a significant reduction in pectinolytic and cellulytic enzyme activities in all tested pathogenic species. Addition of [L2Cu(OAc)] complex leading to leakage of sugars and electrolytes from the most sensitive microbial cells accompanied with collapsed hyphae ofA. Flavus and membrane blobbing ofB. Subtilis. The production of mycotoxins decreased with the extension exposure to [L2Cu(OAc)] complex reaching to a minimum values for the mycelium originating from the inoculum exposed to the minimum inhibitory concentration (2%). Both aflatoxin (AFB1) and citrinin were the most sensitive toxins.

Novel inhibition of some pathogenic fungal and bacterial species by new synthetic phytochemical coumarin derivatives

novel antifungal and antibacterial activities of new synthesized phytochemical coumarin compounds [H 2 L 1 , HL 2 and H 2 L 3 ] and their copper (II) complexes [L 1 Cu], [L 2 Cu(OAc)] and [(L 3 )Cu 2 (H 2 O) 4 (OAc) 2 ] were evaluated against nine pathogenic fungal species (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Botrytis cinerea, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium tetramera, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Verticillium albo-atrum) and eight pathogenic bacterial species, from which four Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus citrus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and four Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi). The phytochemical copper (II) complex [L 2 Cu(OAc)] was the most effective derivative, where it reaches to 90 and 100% inhibition in the most sensitive pathogens (B. subtilis and A. flavus), respectively accompanied with a significant reduction in pectinolytic and cellulytic enzyme activities in all tested pathogenic species. Addition of [L 2 Cu(OAc)] complex leading to leakage of sugars and electrolytes from the most sensitive microbial cells accompanied with collapsed hyphae of A. flavus and membrane blobbing of B. subtilis. The production of mycotoxins decreased with the extension exposure to [L 2 Cu(OAc)] complex reaching to a minimum values for the mycelium originating from the inoculum exposed to the minimum inhibitory concentration (2%). Both aflatoxin (AFB 1 ) and citrinin were the most sensitive toxins.

Selection of a method for determination of activity of pectinolytic enzymes in berry fruit materials

AbstractThe goal of the study was to find the most accurate and sensitive method for the determination of activity of pectinolytic enzymes in complex mixtures obtained from fruit materials such as raw cloudberry and raspberry juices. Several assay methods based on enzymatic reactions using viscometric, colourimetric, spectrophotometric, or pH-titration detection of the reaction products were tested. Problems with the application of the selected methods, such as very low detection signal or very large background signal, were observed. Among the tested methods, only a modified method based on the continuous recording of the released carboxyl groups titration allowed to assay the activity of exogenous pectin methylesterase with a good linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and minimised the interference of other fruit components.

Microbial activity in the gut of piglets: II. Effect of fibre source and enzyme supplementation

Twenty four Duroc×Landrace male piglets, aged 21 days, were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental diets. Diets 1 and 2 contained 150 g kg �1 wheat bran and diets 3 and 4 contained 90 g kg �1 maize cobs as the major fibre source. All diets contained 480 g kg �1 wheat and 200 g kg �1 soybean meal. Diets 2 and 4 were supplemented with the following enzyme complex: 800 U/kg cellulase, 1800 U/kg glucanase and 2600 U/kg xylanase. The replacement of wheat bran by maize cobs increased the acetic (Pb0.05) and decreased the butyric acid production (Pb0.05) in the cecum. Piglets fed diets with maize cobs had lower (Pb0.05) levels of butyric acid in the colon than those fed wheat bran. The xylanolytic, pectinolytic and cellulolytic enzyme activities were higher (Pb0.05) in the cecum and colon of piglets fed the wheat bran based diets. The supplementation of the diet with the enzyme complex did not significantly affect the levels of short chain fatty acids formed in the small intestine and there was a non significant increase of the levels of acetic, propionic and butyric acids in the cecum and colon of piglets (Pb0.10). No interactions were present between fibre sources and enzyme addition. The results suggest that the enzyme supplementation of the diet did not bring significant benefits to the animals and that when maize cobs replaces wheat bran in diets it negatively affects butyric acid production and fibre-degrading enzyme activity in the hindgut of piglets. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrolytic enzyme activity of Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 and effects of the antagonistic bacterium on cell integrity of two soil-borne pathogenic fungi

Paenibacillus sp. strain B2, isolated from the mycorrhizosphere of Sorghum bicolor and having an antagonistic activity towards soil-borne fungal pathogens, possessed extracellular cellulolytic, proteolytic, chitinolytic and pectinolytic enzyme activities. The eventual role of these lytic enzymes in cellular interactions between Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 and Phytophthora parasitica and Fusarium oxysporum was investigated by electron microscopy and molecular cytology. Electron microscopic observations showed that the presence of Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 resulted in disorganisation of cell walls and/or cell contents of P. parasitica and F. oxysporum. However, when P. parasitica was treated with commercial purified cellulase, protease, chitinase and pectinase, only protease had an inhibitory effect on mycelial growth. It is proposed that the inhibitory effect of Paenibacillus sp. strain B2 on the growth of soil-borne fungal pathogens is probably derived from more than one mechanism.