Pectinolytic enzyme production by Bacillus species and their potential application on juice extraction

Five Bacillus strains isolated from decaying vegetable material were cultiv ated on wheat bran and endo-polygalacturonases, exo-polygalacturonase and p ectin lyase activities in the crude enzymatic solution obtained were determ ined. Highest activity was observed for all enzymes when fermentation was c arried out at 28 degreesC, the highest activity values were obtained after 120 h of cultivation for exo-PG and after 48 h for endo-PG and PL. The use of the enzymatic solution for treatment of fruits and vegetable mash afford ed a high juice extraction and a pulp with good pressing characteristics.