Production of pectinoltyic enzymes from bacterial isolate associated with olive (Olea euroaea)plant

Abstract

Microbial pectinases are widely used in various industries and represent a major class of industrial enzymes. Their broad applications have attracted significant research interest. This study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from olive plants and evaluate their potential for pectinase production using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) method. Samples were collected from olive plants in a home orchard located in Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Pectinases are enzymes with diverse industrial applications, including plant fiber processing, pectic wastewater treatment, paper pulping, fruit juice extraction, and clarification. Due to the growing industrial demand for these enzymes, identifying microbial strains capable of high pectinase production is essential.

Bacterial cultures exhibiting the highest zones of inhibition were selected for enzyme production. Orange peel powder served as the pectin-rich substrate in the submerged production medium. A total of one morphologically distinct bacterial culture was isolated. Among the isolates, a single pectinolytic strain demonstrated enzyme activity of 1.387 U/mL. These findings suggest that endophytic bacteria associated with olive plants in Zuru have potential as industrial producers of pectinase enzymes.

Key Word: Olive plants, Endophytic Bacteria, Orange peel powder, Pectinase production, Enzyme acti

vity