Optimization of Pectinase Production from AgriculturalWaste Under Solid-State Fermentation by Bacillus pumilus

Background and Aim : As a large group of enzymes, pectinases break down pectin into simplermolecules such as galacturonic acid. These enzymes are widely produced by manymicroorganisms. Today, many agricultural wastes are used as pectin-rich sources to inducepectinase production by many microorganisms. The aim of this study was to optimization ofpectinase production from agricultural waste under solid-state fermentation by Bacillus pumilus.Methods : Bacillus pumilus PTCC ۱۳۱۹ was obtained from the Iranian Research Organization forScience and Technology (IROST). In this work, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) wasapplied to evaluate the influence of different solid substrates (rice bran and wheat bran), nitrogensources (peptone, yeast extract, ammonium sulfate), and pH (۶,۷,۸) on pectinase production. Thefermentation process was held for ۹۶ hours. Measurement of the enzyme activity was carried outby measuring the amount of D-galacturonic acid liberated from pectin.Results : The highest pectinase activity (۳۱.۲۸ U/ml) was observed when wheat bran as solidsubstrate, yeast extract as nitrogen source, and pH of ۸.Conclusion : Microbial sources of pectinase enzymes are great importance in several industries.The use of agricultural waste for the production of pectinase has been found to be economical andeffective.

کلیدواژه ها:

pectinase ، Bacillus pumilus ، Agricultural wastes ، Response Surface Methodology