ABSTRACT

 Enzymes are important tools used in the field of food technology. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify pectinolytic fungi from rotting plantain wastes. Plantains were brought from local markets (New Benin, Oba and Uselu markets) in Benin City, Edo State. Serial dilutions were made using sterile distilled water as diluent. Enumeration and isolation of fungi was carried out using potato dextrose agar. The pour plate method was employed and plates were incubated at 28±2^oC for 3 – 5 days. Cultural and morphological characterization were carried out for the identification of the fungal isolates. The screening of fungal isolates for pectinolytic activity was performed on pectin screening agar. Inoculated plates were incubated at 28±2^oC for 3 days and thereafter, flooded with potassium iodide-iodine solution for the detection of clearance zone indicating pectinolytic activity. The total heterotrophic fungal count of plantain peels sampled ranged from 0.90x10⁴ – 27.43x10⁴ cfu/g while for plantain stalks, counts ranged from 1.20x10⁴ - 6.93x10⁴ cfu/g. The probable fungi isolated include Aspergillus parasiticus, Purpureocillium lilacinum, Trichophyton spp., Kluyveromyces spp. and Saccharomyces spp. The percentage frequency of occurrence ranged from 10% (Purpureocillium lilacinum) to 30% (Kluyveromyces spp.). The zone of inhibition ranged from 0.0 mm (Purpureocillium lilacinum) to 20.70 mm (Trichophyton spp.). These fungi have been endowed with an array of extracellular pectolytic enzymes that provide them valuable tools for infecting their host, as such makes them widely applicable in the industrial sector for several purposes. They could be used in textile, food and feed, pharmaceuticals, waste water treatment plants and other manufacturing companies.