Isolation, Screening, and Characterization of Fungal Isolates with Pectinolytic Activity from Decaying Fruits

Rey  G. Tantiado,

Isolation, Screening, and Characterization of Fungal Isolates with Pectinolytic Activity from Decaying Fruits

Abstract:

Filamentous fungi are potential source of pectinolytic enzyme production used in fruit processing industry can be isolated from decaying fruits as substrates. Thus, this study was conducted to isolate, screen, characterize pectinase-producing fungi from decaying fruits and assess their pectinolytic activity. Decaying fruits samples were collected from fruit stands of Iloilo City Terminal Market. Pectinolytic fungi were grown and screened for pectinolytic activity using pectinolytic activity plate assay based on the decolorization coefficient value. Results showed three genera of fungi isolated from various decaying fruits which include Aspergillus (9 isolates), Rhizopus (1 isolate), and Mucor (1 isolate). Aspergillus spp. was the most dominant fungal isolate obtained from decaying fruits of ampalaya (Momordica charantia), pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), pineapple (Ananas comosus), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), lemon (Citrus limon), melon (Cucumis melo), calamansi (Citrus microcarpa), and mango (Mangifera indica). The Aspergillus spp. showed significant pectinolytic activity among the fungi effectively screened based on the decolorization coefficient value obtained. Thus, common fungi with pectinolytic activities are mitosporic genera isolated from decaying fruits that can be applied in agro-biotechnological industry.