Production, purification and characterization of pectinase from a microorganism isolated from soil

The aim of this study is to obtain and characterize pectinase from a microorganisms isolated from orchards in Amasya. Thus, it is aimed to provide cheap and high amounts of pectinase enzyme which is commercially important. Microorganisms producing pectinase enzyme were isolated from soil samples taken from different orchards in Amasya. It was determined that the isolate K2 showed the highest pectinase activitiy among the species isolated from the soil. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene region sequence analysis, isolate K2 was found to be similar to the genius Bacillus mojavensis by 99%. Pectinase enzyme was produced by isolate K2 and it was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ultrafiltration and ion exchange chromatography methods. The optimum operating conditions of the purified enzyme were determined. When the activity of the enzyme at different pH values was examined, it was seen that the highest activity was obtained at pH: 8.5. When the enzyme activity at different temperatures was examined, the highest activity was obtained at 80 centigrade degree. In this study Bacillus mojavensis K2 was isolated from soil and it was provided to produce commercially important thermophilic and alkaphilic pectinase enzyme capable of working at high temperature and high pH levels.