Mango peel as substrate for production of extra cellular polygalacturonase from Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

Indian mango processing industry is facing problem in disposal of mango peel which constitutes approx. 15-20 per cent of total fruit weight. The peel is usually not utilized for any specific purpose rather it is either gifted away for cattle feed or is dumped in open area to add to environmental pollution. Polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15), a principal components of pectinase, hydrolyzes α-1-4-galacturonide bonds in pectin. It is widely used for extraction of juices, clarification of wines, etc. In India, bulk of this enzyme used by food processing industries is imported and hence, an immediate attention is required to produce it in the country. The cost of enzyme production can be significantly reduced if low value substrates like fruit processing wastes are used as substrate for its production (Martin et al., 8). Mango peel is generally termed as total waste. If a factory is processing 5 tonnes of mangoes per hour say working of 8 h a day, about 6 tonnes of peel would be available as waste