Pectinolytic Enzyme Production from Orange Processing Waste Using Aspergillus brasiliensis Strain

• Published in: Biomass conversion and biorefinery 2024-10, Vol.14 (20), p.25173-25186
• Main Authors: Laswai, Flomena Cyprian, Matofari, Joseph Wafula, Nduko, John Masani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Energy; Original Article; Renewable and Green Energy
• ISSN: 2190-6815; 2190-6823
• DOI: 10.1007/s13399-023-04603-0

This study explored the potential of utilizing orange processing waste as a cost-effective substrate for the production of pectinolytic enzymes using an isolated strain of Aspergillus brasiliensis . The study focused on optimizing various process parameters, such as temperature, pH, and incubation time, for the production of enzymes through solid-state fermentation using a Box-Behnken design (BBD). The maximum pectinase enzyme activities of polygalacturonase, lyase, and esterase were 44.58 U/g, 16.53 U/g, and 74 U/g, respectively. These optimal enzyme activities were observed for enzyme extracts from cells cultivated at 35 °C and pH 4.0 for 6 days. The crude enzyme extract was characterized, and its potential application in apple juice extraction and clarification was evaluated. The results showed that the enzyme extract was effective in improving juice yield from 65% (for control) to 84.5% at 4% enzyme loading. The enzyme was also effective in clarifying the juice as demonstrated by reduced pectin content (from 0.45% to 0.04%) and pH (from 3.55 to 3.35) of the juice, leading to reduction in absorbance at 620 nm. This study highlights the potential of orange processing waste as a sustainable and cost-effective substrate for pectinolytic enzyme production and demonstrates the effectiveness of using Aspergillus brasiliensis strain and BBD in optimal enzyme production. The findings suggest that this approach could be useful for the industrial-scale production of pectinolytic enzymes for various applications.