Pectinase Enzyme Production from Orange Peels by Solid State Fermentation Technology Using Aspergillus niger

At present almost all the pectinolytic enzymes used for industrial applications are produced by fungi. In this study we produce pectinase from biowaste (orange peels) by solid state fermentation using Aspergillus niger at 30°C and pH 4.5. Production of this enzyme was affected by nature of solid substrate, level of moisture content, presence or absence of carbon, nitrogen, mineral and vitamin supplements to obtain the maximum yield of Pectinase. Maximum enzyme production was obtained from dry substrate in the comparison to wet substrate supplemented with other enzymes like cellulase, amylase in small amount with water at 75% moisture level, after 72hrs of incubation at 30°C. In this work 60% Pectinase was obtained from dry biomass (orange peels).