Purification and characterization of pectin lyase secreted by Penicillium citrinum

The importance of various parameters such as sugarcane juice concentration, pH of the medium, and effects of different solid supports for maximum secretion of pectin lyase from Penicillium citrinum MTCC 8897 has been studied. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The molecular mass determined by SDS-PAGE was 31 kDa. The Km and kcat values were found to be 1 mg/ml and 76 sec−1, respectively. The optimum pH of the purified pectin lyase was 9.0, though it retains activity in the pH 9.0–12.0 range when exposed for 24 h. The optimum temperature was 50°C, and the pectin lyase was found to be completely stable up to 40°C when exposed for 1 h. The purified pectin lyase was found efficient in retting of Linum usitatissimum, Cannabis sativa, and Crotalaria juncea.