Screening of Moulds from Soil for Pectinase Production

Enzymes are increasingly being used in different industrial processes globally as a result of their  extreme efficiency and highly specific bio-catalytic activities. Pectinases are among the most important  industrial enzymes and their demand is increasing by the day hence the need to search for cheap and  readily available sources of the enzyme. Therefore, this study was undertaken with the aim of isolating and  screening mould species from soil for pectinase production. Isolation of pectinolytic moulds was carried  out using the spread plate method. Screening of the isolates for their pectinolytic activity was done by  culturing on Pectinase Screening Agar Medium (PSAM) and flooding with iodine-potassium iodide  solution. Six (6) fungal species; Aspergillus niger, Monilia sitophila, Sclerotium rolfsii, Penicillium spp,  Cladiosporium spp and Curvularia spp were isolated. Sclerotium rolfsii, had the highest pectin hydrolysis  zone (35 mm) upon screening. It was concluded that Sclerotium rolfsii isolated from botanical garden in  Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria has potential for pectinase production