ARUM SURYAM AND M. A. SINGARA CHARYA
Abstract
Pectins are very complex polysaccharides found in primary and middle lamella of the fruits and vegetables. Pectin Methyl Esterase (E.C.3.1 1.11) breaks the pectin by hydrolysis and generates Poly Galacturonic Acid (PGA) and methanol. PME activity was estimated in pectin supplemented Asthana and Hawker's broth for in vitro and fruits like Grapes, Sapota, Mango, Apples and Tomatoes for in vivo studies. Six fruit rot fungi viz., Rhizocton la Mucor racemosus, Rhizopus stolanifer, Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus Jlavus and A. niger were tried to estimate the PME in vivo and in .nitro. Aspergillus niger and A. litmus produced higher PME after 14th day of incubation period and both these species are responsible for higher PME after 411' day of incubation period in grape juice extract, and hence, can be used in fruit juice technology.