Carbon sources effect on pectinase production from Aspergillus japonicus 586

Abstract

The effect of different carbon sources on the pectinesterases, endo- and exo-polygalacturonase activities from Aspergillus japonicus 586 was evaluated in liquid media (Manachini solutions) supplemented with different substrate concentrations. The culture medium was inoculated with 5.106 spores/ml and mantained under agitation (140 rpm), at 30°C, during 122 h. The enzyme evaluation was carried out 24 h after filtration. The crude extract from A. japonicus 586 indicated that the best enzymatic activities were afforded in the presence of 0.5% pectin (pectinesterease), 0.2% pectin and 0.2% glycerol (endopolygalacturonase), and 0.5% pectin associated to 0.5% glucose (exopolygalacturonase). Carbon sources concentration, isolated or associated, significantly affects the pectinesterase, and endo- and exopolygalacturonase activities. Pectin, glucose and saccharose, when added to the culture medium in high concentrations, exhibited a repression effect on all the analyzed enzymes.