Effect of Cultural Conditions on the Commercial Production of Polygalacturonase by <i>Rhizoctonia bataticola</i>

Abstract

Polygalacturonase (PG) activity was detected in culture filtrate and Rhizoctonia-infected tissues of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum). Culture produced PG formed more reducing groups that PG from diseased tissue. PG production and pH of the culture medium increased with incubation period and attained optimal values between the 4th and 6th day. The ability of Rhizoctonia bataticola to produce PG varied with the carbon and nitrogen sources in the medium; relatively large amounts of PG were produced in media supplemented with citrus pectin, sodium polypectate and potato slices as carbon sources and asparagine and D-L-_-phenylalanine as nitrogen sources. The industrial use of the enzyme to separate cellulose fibres and the maceration of vegetables are discussed.

Keywords:Rhizoctonia bataticola, Solanum tuberosum, polygalacturonase, nitrogen and carbon sources.

Discovery and Innovation Vol. 19 (4) 2007: pp. 264-268