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Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 © 2008, INSInet Publication Production of Bacterial Pectinase(s) from Agro-Industrial Wastes Under Solid State Fermentation Conditions 1 1 Reda, A. Bayoumi, 2Hesham, M.Yassin, 2Mahmoud, A. Swelim, 2Ebtsam,Z.Abdel-All Botany & Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University,Cairo,Egypt.P.O.11884. 2 Botany Department, Faculty of Science , Benha University, Egypt. Abstract: Bacillus firmus –I-4071 produced very high level of polygalacturonase by solid state fermentation (SSF). Fifty one bacterial isolates were isolated from fermented clayed Solanum tuberosum peels collected from different restaurants in Kalubeia governorate, Egypt. All bacterial isolates were screened for their ability to produce pectinases using apple pectin under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. The results showed that all of these isolates were found to have appreciable pectinolytic productivities of which twenty isolates showed good pectinases-producing potentialities using agroindustrial wastes viz. Solanum tuberosum (ST), Solanum melanogena (SM), Echornia crasips (EC) and citrus peels mixture (CPM) at 30 °C and pH 6 by pectin clearing zone (PCZ) technique. Three bacterial isolates, viz: 4071, 107 and 10104 were found to exhibit a higher polygalacturonase (PG) production by attacking Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels compared to other wastes. The three most potent bacterial isolates were identified on the bases of cell shape, cell arrangement, relation to oxygen and physiological and biochemical tests as Bacillus firmus, I-4071, B. firmus-I-10104 and Bacillus laterosporus-I-107. The optimum inoculum size for production of polygalacturonase production by B. firmus-I-10104 on Solanum tuberosum (ST ) peels was 1 ml (30 x 10 1 5 CFU); substrate concentration, 1.25 g/25 ml; incubation period, 96 hours, pH, 6.0; incubation temperature, 37 °C; different nitrogen source; peptone (0.1 g/l); different carbon source, control; different amine acids, control and finally without any vitamins. These results suggesting that, the polygalacturonase was produced from cheap raw material under solid state fermentation under all optimal conditions for application in the clarification of juice. Key words: Polygalacturonase(PG)production, Agro-Industrial wastes Bacillus INTRODUCTION Most of the chemical changes that occur in living tissues are regulated by enzymes. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in solid-state fermentation (SSF) processes for the production of bioactive compounds. Enzymes production by SSF using bacterial spp. has been reported for many enzymes such as xylanase [1 7 ] and amylase [3 ] but reports on pectinase production by SSF using bacterial spp. are lacking in the literature. SSF has been reported to be more advantageous than submerged (SmF) as it allows cheaper production of enzyme having better physiochemical properties than that produced by SmF [2 5 ]. Pectinases comprises a heterogeneous group of enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of pectinc o n t a i n i n g su b s trates . P ectic s u b s tanc e s a re characterized by long chains of galacturonic acid residues. On these residues are carboxyl groups, which are sometimes modified by the addition of methyl groups, forming methoxyl groups. Pectic enzymes act firmus, Solid State Fermentation (SSF), by breaking glycosidic bonds of the long carbon chains (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectate lyase) and by splitting off methoxyl groups (pectin esterase) [1 0 ,1 1 ,1 2 ;1 9 ;4 ] . Pectic substances are widely distributed in fruits and vegetables [1 0 -3 0 % ] in turnips, peels of orange and in pulps of tomato, pineapple and lemon), hence they form important natural substrates for pectinases [1 9 ] . Enzymes which degrade pectic substances are pectinases or pecteolytic enzymes and can be classified into three types. Pectin methyl esterase (PME) hydrolyzes the methyl ester of galacturonide chain liberating methanol. Polygalacturonases (PGases) and pectate lyases (PLases) split the molecular chains of the respective polymers [1 8 ,1 ,2 4 ]. Since the 1940s, pectinases have been exploited for many industrial applications. Pectinases are mainly used for increasing filtration efficiency and clarification of fruit juices, in wood preservation and used in maceration, liquefaction and extraction of vegetable tissues [9 ,4 ]. Various literature reports and reviews are available on the production and applications of pectinases [4 2 ,2 4 ]. Also, Corresponding Author: Reda Ahmed Bayoumi, Bayoumi, R.A., Botany & Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, AlAzhar University, Cairo, Egypt. P.O.11884. Tel.: +(0020) 24108598; Fax:+(0020) 22629356. Mobile: 0103597140 E-mail address: [email protected] 1708 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 pectinases have been used in the paper and pulp industry in addition to cellulases [4 0 ], and plant pathology [2 8 ]. Few reviews have highlighted the biological and technological importance of pectinases [4 0 , 2 4 ,1 5 ,2 ,1 4 ] . In this study, we report the nutritional and environmental conditions requirements for production of PG by Bacillus firmus-I-4071 under solid state fermentation conditions using potato peels. M ATERIALS AND M ETHODS 1. Isolation of Bacteria: Bacterial isolates were obtained from clayed potato peels collected from different restaurants in Benha, Kalubia governorate, Egypt. The potato peels were applied using the soil dilution plate method. 2. Construction of Galacturonic Acid Standard Curves: A stock solution (10.000 mg/ml) of the standard galacturonic acid supplied by Sigma was prepare in acetate buffer (0.2 M ) at pH 5. The stock so lutio n was used fo r making o f diffe re nt concentrations. After preparing of the required dilutions, only 1.0 ml of each dilution was transferred to determine of the amount of reducing sugar according to Nelson [3 3 ]. A standard curve was constructed relating all different sugar concentrations applied against their corresponding to optical density at 510 nm. The obtained standard curve was used for estimating the polygalacturonase activities in terms of mg/ml and then units (U). One unit is defined as the amount of enzyme protein (mg) required to exert free galacturonic acid, from pectin of time under 35 °C for 1hour in acetate buffer (0.2 M) at pH 5.0 . 3. Protein Determination: Protein of all enzymatic preparations was determined by the method of Lowry et al., [3 1 ]. 4. Growth and M aintenance M edium: a-Czapek'sDox pectin medium: This medium contained (g/l): Pectin, 10; NaNO 3 , 2; K H 2 PO 4 , 1; KCl, 0.5; M gSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.5; FeSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.001%, CaCl2 , 0.001%, agar-agar, 15; and distilled water up to 1000 ml. pH was adjusted at 7, and then autoclaved for 20 minutes at 1.5 atmospheric pressure. This medium was modified as follow: Part (A) contained (g/l): NaNO 3 , 2; KH 2 PO 4 , 1; KCl, 0.5; M gSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.5; yeast extract, 1; agaragar, 20. This contents were dissolved in 200 ml citrate-phosphate buffer at pH 7. Part (B) contained (g/l): Pectin, 5; dissolved in 200 ml citrate phosphate buffer at pH 7. Part (C) citrus peels extract which contained (g/l): Citrus peels, 125 g, the pH of the extract was adjusted at 7 before sterilization. The three parts (A), (B), and (C) were autoclaved for 20 minutes at 1.5 atmospheric pressure and mixed together after sterilization. The medium was poured into sterilized plates, each plate contained 20 ml, the media were allowed to be solidify. 5. Agro-industrial W astes: The potato peels wastes were collected from different restaurants in Benha, Kalubia governorate, Egypt. They washed to remove the clay for using, dried in open air, and then grounded in the production media. Citrus peels, Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels, and water hyacinth (Echornia crassips) were collected, dried and prepared in the form of a ground preparations. 6. Production M edia: 6.1. Basal M edium: The basal medium (BM) was prepared according to Vincent [5 1 ]. It contained of the following (g/l): Sucrose, 10; KNO 3 , 0.6; KH 2 PO 4 , 1; MgSO 4 , 0.25 and CaCl 2 , 0.1 was found most convenient for the production of different enzymes. It was modified to include the following constituents: (g/l) NaNO 3 , 2; K 2 HPO 4 , 0.5; KCl, 0.5 and yeast extract, 1. These previously mentioned contents were dissolved in citrate phosphate buffer at pH 7. 6.2 Potato Peels Basal M edium (PPM A): It contained the same constituents of BM supplemented with potato peels (4 % w/v). 7. Identification of the M ost Potent Bacterial Isolates: The three most potent bacterial isolates (B10104, B-107 and B-40710) were identified by examination of their morphological physiological and biochemical characteristics according to Barrow and Feltham [5 ] ; Parker, [3 7 ]; Collee et al., [1 2 ]; Sneath [4 9 ] ;Hensyl, [2 0 ] and Schallmey et al., [4 3 ]. 8.qualitative Screening Test M edia, M ethods, and Conditions (First Survey): 8.1. Pectinolytic Enzyme Production M edium: This medium consists of part (A) and part (B). Part (A) contained (g/l): NaNO 3 , 2; KH 2 PO 4 , 1; KCl, 0.5; MgSO 4 .7H 2 O, 0.5; Yeast extract, 1. These contents were dissolved in 40 ml distilled water. The pH was adjusted at pH 7 by NaOH (5% , w/v).Part (B) contained (g/l): Pectin, 5, dissolved in 10 ml. of distilled water.The two parts (A) and (B) were autoclaved for 20 minutes at 1.5 atmospheric pressure and mixed together after autoclaving. This medium was inoculated with bacterial isolates. This medium was incubated at 37 °C for 96 hours, then assayed for pectinolytic productivity and activity were tested in the pectinase assay medium. 8.2. Pectinase Production and Activity Assay M edium: This medium was contained (g/l): Pectin, 1; Arabic gum, 5; agar-agar, 15, these contents dissolved in citrate phosphate buffer at pH 6. It was autoclaved 1709 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 at 1.5 atmospheric pressure for 20 minutes. Plates of the same size were poured with equally amounts of pectinase assay medium in each Petri dish. After cooling, three wells were made by sterilized cork porer in each plate. Each well was inoculated with 0.1 ml of filtrate which prepared by the filtration of the broth which grown on pectinolytic enzyme production medium by filter paper. These plates were inoculated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Then clearing zones of the medium after addition of Logule's iodine solution were investigated and taken as criteria for determining the pectinolytic productivity 10.3. Different Incubation Periods:The most potent bacterial isolate was allowed to grow on the waste and incubated for 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168 and 192 hours respectively. .9.a. Qualitative Screening Test M edia, M ethods and Conditions (Second Survey): 9.a.1. Pectinolytic Enzyme Production M edium (Pepm): This medium contained the main ingredients of BM supplemented with potato peels, Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels, Echornia crassips and citrus peels mixture (2% w/v) separately. The pH of this medium was adjusted at 7 by dissolve its contents in citrate-phosphate buffer (pH 7). It was autoclaved at 1.5 atmospheric pressure for 20 minutes. T his medium was inoculated with bacterial isolates under study. This medium was inocubated at 37 °C for 96 hours, then assayed fo r pectin o lytic p ro d uctivity in the polygalactunase assay medium as previously mentioned 10.5. Different Temperatures: The most potent bacterial isolate was allowed to grow on the grounded potato peels (PP) medium at different temperatures viz., 10, 15, 30, 37, 40, 45, 55, 65 and 75 °C respectively for 96h. .9.b.medium Used in Screening Test for Selecting the M ost Potent Bacterial Isolates: This medium contained the main ingredients of PEPM. The pectinolytic activity was detected by Nelson's technique [3 3 ] .This mixture was incubated at 45 °C for 20 minutes, assay for reducing sugar by Nelson's technique as galacturonic acid. This mixture was modified as follow: This mixture was incubated at 35 °C for 1 hour . 9.c. Analysis of Reducing Sugar by Nelson's Technique [3 3 ]: 10-parameters Controlling the Polygalacturonase Productivities: 10.1. Different Inoculum Sizes: Different inoculum sizes of heavy spore suspension of the most potent bacterial isolate (prepared by harvesting 5 slants in 100 ml sterile saline solution under aseptic conditions) are used. The following inoculum sizes were applied viz., 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 24 ml per each flask (250 ml). At the end of incubation periods, polygalacturonase productivity was determined for each flask after incubation period as the previously mentioned. 10.2. Different Substrate Concentrations: Different concentrations of substrate (g/flask, 25 ml, w/v) were applied viz., 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, 5.0, 10 and 15). At the end of incubation period, enzyme productivity were assayed. 10.4. Different pH Values:The production medium for most potent isolate were prepared as previously mentioned. The pH was adjusted at different pH values viz, [7 .5 , 8 .5 , 9 .0 ] by using boric acid-borax buffer and (3, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6 and 7.0) by using citratephosphate buffer. Inoculation and incubation conditions were carried as previously mentioned. 10.6. Different Nitrogen Sources: Production medium was supplemented with different nitrogen sources at an equimolecular amount of nitrogen that present in sodium nitrate (0.2%, w/v) in basal medium. Peptone, gelatin, and casein were introduced as organic nitrogen source at the level of 2 % and the control was devoid from any nitrogen source. The applied nitrogen sources were ammonium sulphate, ammonium molybdate, ammonium chloride, ammonium oxalate, ammonium citrate, ammonium tartrate, ammonium nitrate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, potassium nitrate, gelatin, peptone, casine and urea. All other factors (temperature, pH, substrate concentration and carbon sources) were carried out as previously mentioned. 10.7. Different carbon sources: Different carbon sources were introduced into the production medium at an equimolecular amount located at 1% (w/v) glucose. Parallel experiment was made with no sugar as a control. The carbon sources were represented by xylose, arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, fructose, trehalose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, starch, cellulose and pectin. Starch, cellulose and pectin was introduced at the level of 1% (w/v). In all cases, other previously mentioned optimal conditions were taken into consideration. 10.8. Different Amino Acids: The production medium was used after applying all of the previously mentioned optimal environmental and nutritional conditions for polygalacturonase productivity by the most potent bacterial isolate. The used amino acids were added at an equimolecular amount of nitrogen located in the best inorganic nitrogen source for the enzyme productivity. This experiment was controlled by performing of parallel one containing the original nitrogen source i.e., sodium nitrate. The control of this experiment was 1710 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 devoid of any amino acid, and the supplemented amino acids were: alanine, histadine, phenyl alanine, aspartic acid, glycine, lysine, cystine, tryptophan, methionine, arginine and isoleucine. Inoculation, incubation conditions, and measurement o f the enzyme productivity were performed as previously mentioned. 10.9. Different Vitamin Requirements: Different vitamins viz, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and folic acid were added separately to the medium specialized for polygalacturonase production at 100, 250, 500, and 1000 ppm while the control was applied free from any vitamin. Inoculation, incubation conditions, and measurement of enzyme productivity were performed as previously mentioned. 10.10. Different Aeration Conditions: This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different aeration conditions on polygalacturonase productivity. It was performed by using four different volumes viz, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 ml for agricultural waste as substrate. Each flask contained 25 ml of the medium in case of potato peels production medium for polygalacturonase. The enzyme productivity was assayed as previously mentioned. Results Fifty one bacterial isolates were isolated from fermented Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels. These isolates were purified, and subjected to a screening in order to examine their pectinolytic productivities on the basis of mean diameters of clearing zones (mm). The fifty one bacterial isolates had a pectinolytic activity while twenty isolates of them were considered to give good producers. T he twenty isolates to attack some agriculture, and industrial wastes under solid state fermentation (SSF) The three bacterial isolates numbers 4071, 107 and 10104 out of the twenty isolates gave a higher pectinase productivity by attacking Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels compared to other wastes and other isolates, where it reached up to 3.2, 3.4 and 3.4mm respectively. Bacterial isolates numbers 4071, 107 and 10104 also gave a higher polygalacturonase productivity by attacking Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels compared to other wastes and other isolates, where it reached up to 515, 515 and 367.5 (U/ml) respectively. Bacterial isolates number 4071, 107 and 10104 gave a higher polygalacturonase productivity by attack Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels compared to other wastes, where it reached up to 292, 287 and 297 (U/ml) respectively (Tables 1&2). Identification of the Three M ost Potent Bacterial Isolates: The three most potent bacterial isolates 4071, 10104 and 107 were subjected to an identification program to the species level. The morphological characteristics and stain reaction led to the fact that the three bacterial isolates are suggestive to being belonging to the genus Bacillus, gram positive aerobes to facultative anaerobes. Consulting Bergey's Manual of systematic bacteriology [4 9 ], the three isolates are belonging to species firmus, firmus, and laterosporus. They could be give the tentative name Bacillus firmus I-4 071, Bac illus firm us-I-10104 and Bacillus laterosporons-I-107. Parameters Controlling the Polygalacturonase (PG) Productivity: 1- Different Inoculum Size: Different volumes of bacterial spore suspension were used as an inocula sizes to inoculate flasks (250 ml) containing the inoculum size used were 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 24 ml. Each one ml of the heavy bacterial cell suspension contained abut 30 x 10 1 5 CFU. The optimal inoculum sizes need to produce the highest yield of polygalacturonase were 1.0 ml. At this particular inoculum size, the highest yield of polygalacturonase was attained with Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels as 350 U/ml. Inoculum size above the previously optimal recorded value gave value gradually decreasing as compared to that of the optimum one(Figure 1). 2- Different Substrate Concentrations: The maximum polygalacturonase productivity 437.5 U/ml was obtained in presence of 1.25g /25 ml on Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 at 37 °C for 96h (Figure 2). 3- Different Incubation Periods: Effect of different inc ub atio n p erio d s o n the po lygalacturo na se productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I10104 was tested at time intervals of 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168 and 192 hours. The level of polygalacturonase increased gradually with increasing the incubation period up to a maximum of 96h. Then gradually decreased after these periods (Figure 3). 4- Different Initial PH Values: The polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 reached its maximum at initial pH 6.0 and 6.2. Since the enzyme yield reached up to 325 U/ml., below and above this optimal pH value, the enzyme productivity gradually decreased (Figure 4). 5- D ifferent Incubatio n T em peratures: T he polygalacturonase productivity reached its optimal value 310 U/ml at an incubation temperature at 37 °C (Figure 5). 1711 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 Table 1: Q uantitative data of the pectinase(s) productivities of the best twenty bacterial isolates grown on four agro-industrial wastes. Polygalacturonase productivity was detected by Nelson's technique (33) (Second Survey). N o. Code no. of bacterial isolates Polygalacturonase productivity (U /m l) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Citrus peels Solanum tuberosum Solam um m elongena Echornia m ixture (CPM ) (ST) peels (SM ) peels craspies (EC) 1 30107 170 335 65 0 2 3069 170 395 0 0 3 3062 170 515 35 0 4 4071 135 515 270 0 5 106 70 200 0 0 6 3034 135 362.5 0 0 7 107 130 367.5 200 0 8 3011 70 235 0 0 9 1032A 100 235 0 0 10 3084 0 235 65 0 11 4087 85 352 132 0 12 3019 135.7 80 42 0 13 30102 100 350 117.5 100 14 1032B 95 187.5 0 0 15 3050 92 342.5 120 0 16 10104 200 515 305 57.5 17 109 7.5 0 0 0 18 3056 100 305 270 127.5 19 1046 150 167.5 72.5 60 20 3048 120 325 205 25 Table 2: N o. 1 2 3 Q uantitative data of the polygalacturonase productivity of the best three bacterial isolates grown on three agro-industrial wastes. Polygalacturonase productivity was determ ined by N elson's technique (33). Code no. of bacterial isolates Polygalacturonase productivities (U /m l) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Citrus peels m ixture (CPM ) Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels Solanum m elanogena (SM ) peels 107 105 ± 0.05 287.5 ± 0.02 75 ± 0.01 4071 95 ± 0.09 292.5 ± 0 40 ± 0.04 10104 115 ± 0.04 297.5 ± 0 177.5 ± 0 Fig 1: Effect of different inocula sizes on the polygalacturonase (PG) productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. 1712 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 Fig 2: Effect of different substrate concentrations on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. Fig 3: Effect of different incubation periods on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. 1713 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 Fig 4: Effect of different pH values on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. Fig 5: Effect of different temperatures on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum peels (STP) under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. 6- Different Nitrogen Sources: Effect of different organic as well as inorganic nitrogen sources on polygalacturonase productivity by the most potent bacterial strain Bacillus firmus-I-10104 were studied. Fourteen different nitrogen sources were applied as equimolecular amount located in sodium nitrate. The maximum value of polygalacturonase productivity reached up to 350 U/ml in the presence of peptone followed by ammonium chloride, urea and beef extract (Figure 6). 7- Different C arbon Sources: The effect of thirteen different carbon sources were introduced into the applied production medium of polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 under SSF condition were studied. It was clear that all the different carbon sources exhibited various degrees lower than control by the Bacillus firmus-I-10104. Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels was the best carbon source for polygalacturonase production where the productivity reached up to 115 U/ml (Figure 7). 1714 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 8- Different Amino Acids: The influence of different eleven amino acids on polygalacturonase productivity by the most potent bacterial strain viz. Bacillus firmusI-10104 was studied. The tested amino acids were introduced as nitrogen sources, at equimolecular amount. The aim of this experiment was to determine the best amino acid that induces the highest enzyme productivity. The results were revealed that all the tested amino acids exhibited various degrees of polygalacturonase activity lower than the control (Figure 8). 9- Different Vitamins: All of the tested vitamins exert suppressive effects on polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 at concentrations 100, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm (Figure 9). 10- Different Aeration Conditions: As it is shown in fig. (10) the 500 ml flask volume was more favorable for polygalacturonase productivity, where it reached up to 297.5 U/ml by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. Data recorded in table (3) showed a summary of the optimal nutritional and environmental conditions for Fig 6: Relation among polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 with different nitrogen sources under solid state fermentation conditions. Fig 7: Effect of different carbon sources on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. 1715 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 Fig 8: Effect of different amino acids on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. polygalacturonase production by Bacillus firmus-I10104 grown on potato peels wastes as preferable substrate. Discussion Enzyme production is a growing field of biotechnology and the world marked for enzyme is over 1.5 billion and it is anticipated to double by the year 2008 [3 0 ]. The majority of the industrial enzymes are of microbial origin [4 5 ]. In the present study, fifty one bacterial isolates were isolated from potato peels collected from different restaurants in Benha, Kalubeia governorate, Egypt. These bacterial isolates were grown at 37 °C and at pH 6.2 to be able to produce a polygalacturonase which favorable to be used as additive for clarification of the juices. A screening of pectinolytic productivities of the 51 bacterial isolates showed that, twenty bacterial isolates gave a good pectinolytic productivities. The nature of solid substrate is the most important factor in solid state fermentation (SSF). This not only supplies the nutrients to the culture but also serves as an anchorage for the growth of microbial cells [4 8 ]. The selection of substrate for SSF process depends upon several factors mainly related with the cost of availability and this may involve the screening of several agro-industrial residues. An optimum solid substrate provides all necessary nutrients to the microorganism for optimum function. However, some of the nutrients may be available in sub-optimal concentrations or even not present in the substrates. In such cases, it would be necessary to supplement them externally [4 8 ]. Indeed 3040 % of the production cost for industrial enzymes are accounted for the cost of the culture medium. In order to reduce medium costs we screen different low-cost substrates and in the course of this we identified potato peels for cost-effective production of the enzyme under study. SSF is receiving a renewed surge of interest, primarily because increased productivity and prospect of using a wide agro-industrial residues as substrates . From industrial point of view, in order to achieve production of low cost of enzymes these bacterial isolates under study were allowed to grow on natural substances such as Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels, Solanum melanogena (SM) peels, Echronia crasipes (EC) and citrus peels mixture (CPM) under solid state fermentation (SSF). However, the selection of the previously mentioned substrates for the process of enzymes biosynthesis was based on the following factors viz (i) they represent the most cheapest agroindustrial wastes in Egypt; (ii) they are available at any time of the year; (iii) their storage represents no problem in comparison with other substrates and (iv) they resist any drastic effect due to the exposure to other environmental conditions e.g. temperature, variation in the weather from season to season and/or from day to night. SSF are usually simpler and can use wastes of agro-industrial substrates for enzyme production. The minimal amount of water allows the production of metabolites in a more concentrate from making the downstream processing less time consuming and less expensive [3 5 ,1 4 ]. Higher production of pectinase in SSF process may be due to the reason that solid substrate not only supplies the nutrient to the microbial cultures growing in it, but also serves as anchorage for the cells allowing them to utilize the substrate effectively [3 4 ]. This trial appeared that only three bacterial isolates B-10104, B-107 and B-4071 were considered to be the best for pectinases production by growing on ST peels under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. They were identified as Bacillus firmus-I-10104, Bacillus laterosporons-I-107 and Bacillus firmus-I-4071. These results agree with that obtained by Kapoor et al., [2 3 ] who reported that, the members of the genus Bacillus and related genera are known to produce extracellular pectinases, which have applications in fiber industry. Bayoumi [6 ] produced [3 6 ] 1716 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 polygalacturonase from Bacillus cereus. Kobayashi et al. [2 7 ] purified the first bacterial Exo-PG from Bacillus sp. strain KSM-P443. In the present study, Bacillus firmus-I-10104 was a Gram-positive rod, catalase positive, spore forming bacteria and grew in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. These results are connected with that recorded by Kapoor et al., [2 2 ] who found that, Bacillus sp. MG-CP-2 produce an alkaline and thermostable PG in degumming of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) and Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea). The environmental conditions in solid-state fermentation conditions can stimulate the microbe to produce the extracellular enzymes with different properties other than those of enzymes produced by the same organism under the conditions performed in submerged fermentation [3 4 ]. In this field, many workers dealt with the main different factors that affect the enzymes production such as temperature, pH, aeration, addition of different carbon and nitrogen sources. Although such factors were previously studied by many authors, [2 9 ]. Still, we need for more investigation seems to be continuously required to give a chance to isolate more Fig 9: Relation between polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firmus-I-10104 with different vitamins concentrations under solid state fermentation (SSF) conditions. Fig 10: Effect of different flask volumes on the polygalacturonase productivity using Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under solid state fermentation conditions by Bacillus fimus-I-10104. 1717 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 Table 3: N o. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 A sum m ary the optim al nutritional and environm ental param eters controlling polygalacturonase productivity by Bacillus firm us-I10104 under solid state ferm entation conditions. Param eter Bacillus firmus-I-10104 Inoculum size (m l) 1 ml Substrate concentration (gm /25 m l) 1.25 Incubation period (hours) 96 pH value 6.2 Tem perature ( °C) 37 N itrogen source Peptone Carbon source Control Am ino acids Control Vitam ins (100, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm ) Control Flask volum e (m l) 500 the present work is to determine the optimum conditions for the enzyme (s) productivities by Bacillus firmus-I-10104. On the other hand, the economic feasibility of the microbial enzymes production application generally depends on the cost of its production processes. In order to obtain high and commercially viable yields of pectinases enzymes, it was essential to optimize the fermentation medium used for bacterial growth and enzymes production. Optimal parameters of the pectinases enzymes biosynthesis from microbial origin, varied greatly, with the variation of the producing strain, environmental, and nutritional conditions [4 4 ]. Concerning the effect of inoculum size, the obtained results revealed that, the optimal inoculum size needed to produce the highest yield of polygalacturonase (PG) production were 1.0 ml/ 25 ml in flask (250 ml). Each one ml of the heavy bacterial cell suspension contained about 30 x 10 1 5 CFU. Inoculum size above the previously optimum recorded value gave value gradually decreasing as compared to that of the optimal one. This may be due to the amount of ST peels was limited (1.25 g/ 25 ml) in flask 250 ml and any increasing in inoculum size does not producing any increasing in the yield of PG. In this respect, Kapoor et al., [2 2 ] found that, production medium (50 ml) in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask was inoculated with 0.1 % of 12h old seed culture of Bacillus sp. M G-CP-2 and incubated at 30 °C with shaking (200 rpm). On the other hand, Kaur et al., [2 6 ] found that, citrus peel-yeast extract broth was inoculated with 20 x 10 7 conidiospores per 50 ml medium from a 6-day old culture of Sporotrichum thermophile Apinis. The differences may be due to they inoculated S. thermophile Apinis but we inoculated B. firmus-I-10104. Also, Kashyap et al. [2 5 ] found that, 2.0 ml of culture of Bacillus sp. DT7 growing on wheat bran under SSF was used an inoculum in each 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Concerning the effect of substrate concentrations, the obtained results revealed that, the maximum PG productivity 437.5 U/ml was obtained in presence of 1.25 g/ 25 ml on ST peels. Substrate concentrations below and above this value gave value gradually decreasing as compared to that of the optimal one. This may be due to the inolucum size was limited [1.0 ml/ flask (250 ml)] and any increasing in substrate concentration doesn't producing any increasing in the PG yield. In this field, Zheng and Shetty [5 2 ] stated that, Erlenmeyer flasks (125 ml), containing 10 g of dried apple or cranberry of strawberry pomace and 20 ml of water and covered with cotton plugs were autoclaved at 121 °C for 15 min. The Lentinus edods mycelium from one PDA plate was inoculated into ten flasks of each substrate separately. The flasks were incubated at 25 °C for 50 days. The cultivation of the fungus was also extrapolated for 100 g of fruit pomace with proportional addition of water calculated from the 10 g level. Also, Kashyap et al., [2 5 ] found that, solid substrates (5.0 g; wheat bran, rice bran, apple pomace) in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks were moistened with specified content of distilled water for growing Bacillus sp. DT7 which produced pectinase under SSF. In the present study, incubation period has an obvious effect polygalacturonase by Bacillus firmus-I-10104, it seems from the results that a lag phase was observed during the first 24h when spore germination took place with practically no enzyme synthesis. M aximal PG productivity on ST peels was observed at the end of 98 h, after which a decline in enzyme activity was observed. This might be due to denaturation and/or decomposition of PG as a result of interaction with other compounds in the fermented medium [3 8 ] or due to sugar consumption [1 6 ]. In accordance to the present results, Martins et al., [3 2 ] found that, PG production peaked between the 2 n d and 4 th days of cultivation when wheat bran or orange bagasse was used as substrate for Thermoascus aurantiacus. On the other hand, different incubation periods were recorded by any authors for Aspergillus foetidus e.g. 36h [1 6 ] might be due to who use Aspergillus foetidus growing on citrus waste but we use Bacillus firmus-I-10104 growing on ST peels. The highest PG activity was obtained after 40 days by Lentinus edodes growing on straw berry pomace medium under SSF conditions [5 2 ]. These results are related with those recorded by Kaur et al., [2 6 ] who reported that, PG production by the thermophilic mould S. thermophile Apinis was high after 4 days in SmF. As regarded the effect of pH on PG production the present results showed that the optimal pH for highest yield of the PG enzyme from B. firmus-I-10104 was 6.2. Below and above this optimal pH, the enzyme productivity decreased gradually. This might be due to the growth rate of the B. firmus-I-10104 was decreased above this pH and the 1718 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(12): 1708-1721, 2008 acidity and alkalinity was harmful for bacteria. These results agree with that obtained by Zheng and shetty, [5 2 ] who reported that, PG produced from Lentinus edodes has a relatively lower pH optimum (pH 5.0). Kobayashi et al., [2 7 ] reported that, PG produced by Bacillus sp. Strain KSM-P443 growing on a pectate agar plate in 100 mM tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0). In accordance to the present results, Debing et al., [1 3 ] found that the optimal formula for pectinase production from A. niger by solid fermentation under the conditions of natural aeration, natural substrate pH (about 6.5), and environmental humidity of 60 % is rice dextrose 8%, wheat bran 24%, ammonium sulfate [(NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ] 6%, and water 61% , T ween 80 was found to have a negative effect on the production of pectinase in solid substrate. The present results showed that, the PG optimal temperature of the enzyme were 37 °C. Below and above this optimal temperature, the enzyme productivity decreased gradually. This might be due to the fact that lower and higher temperature cause a decrease in the growth rate of B. firmus-I-10104 and also below, this temperature the bacteria can not perform its metabolic activities and above this temperature the PG was broken down. In complete accordance with the present results, Kashyap et al. [2 5 ] found that, Bacillus sp. DT7 growing on wheat bran under SSF yielded 4600 V of pectinase at 75% moisture level after 36 h of incubation at 37 °C for specified time intervals. On the other hand, Kaur et al., [2 ] found that, the production of PG by Sporotrichum thermophile Apinis in stirred SmF was high in comparison with that instatic conditions. Yeast extract (0.25%) and citrus pectin (2%) at pH 7.0 and 45 °C supported a high enzyme production in flasks agitated at 200 rpm. Tseng et al., [5 0 ] found that, B. firmus which isolated from a wastewater treatment plant of pulp and paper industry was capable of growth at pH values, ranging from 10-12. Normally growth is at temperature of 37 °C, the cultures were thermobile at temperature above 55 °C. Concerning the effect of the addition of different nitrogen sources for the purpose of biosynthesis and production of PG, it was found that, peptone, gelatin and ammonium chloride were the best PG inducers for B. firmus-I-10104. This might be due to peptone and gelatin are natural nitrogen sources. In this respect, Kashyap et al., [2 5 ] found that, when various nitrogen sources were supplemented in wheat bran medium, yeast extract (YE), peptone and ammonium chloride were found to enhance pectinase production up to 24%. Addition of glycine, urea and ammonium nitrate inhibited pectinase production, which may be due to poor growth of Bacillus in the medium containing these nitrogen sources whereas, tryptone had no effect on pectinase production in solid medium. In a trial to study the effect of introducing some carbon sources on the polygalacturonase production, it was found that, all the tested carbon sources failed to induce polygalacturonase production by growing Bacillus firmus-I-10104 on Solanum tuberosum (ST) peels under SSF conditions. This can be attributed to ST peel, which has a high pectin content, and could p r o d u c e s r e d u c in g suga rs b y a tta c k in g b y polygalacturonase during fermentation. These results are related with that given by Kapoor et al., [2 2 ] who reported that, in minimal medium supplemented with 1% (w/v) citrus pectin as the sole carbon source, the maximum polygalacturonase yield obtained was 47 U/ml after 24h, by using Bacillus sp. MG-CP-2 under SmF and also, found that, polygalacturonase production by Bacillus sp. M G-CP-2 using various sugars and c o m p le x a gro-by p rod uc ts s how ed that the polygalacturonase production was enhanced to a significant extent using 1 % (w/v) wheat bran (189 u/ml), sun flower seed cake (144 U/ml), rice bran (141 U/ml), orange peel and guar gum (140 U/ml, each) when substituted individually in place of citrus pectin in the enriched medium. Maltose, lactose, sucrose and mannitol did not show any significant effect on polygalacturonase production, whereas rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and galactose marginally inhibited the enzyme production. Inhibition of polygalacturonase production in the presence of glucose and other simple sugars might be due to catabolite repression. Similar results showing a higher pectinase yield with pectin polymer compared with simple sugars such as arabinose, glucose and galactose has been reported earlier by Said et al., [4 1 ] which is in accordance with the present study. Beg et al., [7 ,8 ] found that, pectinase production from Streptomyces sp. QG-11-3 was enhanced by wheat bran and drastically inhibited by various mono- and disaccharides. The overall study indicated that the complex polysaccharides such as ST peels are the better stimulant for the polygalacturonase production from Bacillus firmus-I-10104 compared with simple sugars. Concerning the effect of aeration conditions, the obtained results revealed that, 500 ml flask volume was more favorable for PG productivity, where it reached up to 297.5 U/ml. This may be due to 500 ml flask volume supply B. firmus-I-10104 by enough aeration needed for respiration. Then the bacteria can perform its metabolic activities in a good way. In this respect, Kaur et al., [2 6 ] found that, 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask was more favorable for PG production by Sporotrichum thermophile Apinis under SmF. 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