Isolation, Purification And Assay Of Pectinase Producing Aspergillus Niger From Onion Peels In An Economically Feasible Way By Using Sabouraud Agar Medium

Abstract

This study was conducted to screen for pectinase production by Aspergillus niger isolated from soil samples collected from three different locations within Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (botanical garden (BG), refuse dump (RD) and sheep pen (SP) sites). Fifteen (15) soil samples were collected from different locations and used for isolation by cultural method. Isolates suspected to be Aspergillus niger were further identified by microscopic examination using lactophenol cotton blue stained-preparation and slide culture technique. The isolates were then screened in a pectin-containing medium for their pectinase activity. The isolates were further subjected to pectinase production using citrus pectin as the substrate under submerged fermentation conditions. Seven (7) isolates were confirmed to be Aspergillus niger with percentage occurrence of 60% each from sheep pen, refuse dumpsites and 20% from botanical garden.