• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.580-586
• /
• 1989

Penicillium sp. CB-20 was selected for strong polygalacturonase activity among various strains of molds found in soil. The optimum pH for the enzyme activity was 5.0 and optimum temperature was 4$0^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was relatively stable in acidic condition and unstable by heat treatment. The activation energy, Km and V$_{max}$ for the polygalacturonase were 2.499 Kcal/mol, 2.13$\times$10$^{-2}$mol/l, and 104.17 $\mu$mol/min. The activity of polygalacturonase was inhibited by Ag$^{+}$, Cu$^{++}$, Pb$^{++}$, Fe$^{+++}$, $Ca^{++}$, Na$^+$, Mn$^{++}$. The enzyme can be inactivated by the treatment ethylenediamintetra acetic acid, 2,4-dinitrophenol and $H_2O$$_2$. The results indicate the possible involvement of histidine, chelate and terminal amino group as active site. The enzyme was endo-type polygalacturonase.