Production of an endo-polygalacturonase from Fusarium proliferatum isolated from agro-industrial waste

In this bioprospection survey, a pectinolytic fungal strain, identified as Fusarium proliferatum, was isolated from agro-industrial residues (banana peels) from among 87 microbial isolates. F. proliferatum P6 was detected as a polygalacturonase (PGAse) producer with enzymatic activity on all the incubation days tested (days 1–10) by determination of the reducing sugars, with maximum activity at 96h (83.05 U/mL). Moreover, the presence of citrus pectin in the medium was crucial for the PGAse production. Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) demonstrated that PGAse activity of F. proliferatum P6 was influenced mainly by temperature, with optimal activity of 137.36 ± 2.21U/mL with pH 3.6 at 43.4°C. Furthermore, High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) inferred that the F. proliferatum P6 strain secretes endo-PGAse enzymes, due oligogalacturonate and monogalacturonate products of enzymatic hydrolysis. This is the first time that this enzyme has been described in F. proliferatum. Endo-PGAse produced by F. proliferatum P6 presents an optimal activity for some industries, such as wine production as well as the processing of fruits and vegetables.