ISSN 2756-3847
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Cellulase activity in tomato fruits infected with Penicillium funiculosum Thom.
Adekunle Odunayo Adejuwon1,3*, Adejoke Oluwasola Oni3, Adesola Adetutu Ajayi2, 3 and Patrick Ojo Olutiola3
1Deparment of Biological Sciences, Ajayi Crowther University, P. M. B 1066, Oyo, Nigeria.
2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Covenant University, Sango-Ota, Nigeria.
3Department of Microbiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Accepted 14 September, 2019
Abstract
Within eight days of incubation at room temperature (27oC), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits infected with Penicillium funiculosum Thom. had deteriorated. Extracts from the infected fruits exhibited cellulase activity. Uninfected fruits lacked cellulase activity. The enzyme was partially purified by a combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. On separation by molecular exclusion chromatography, two peaks of absorption with molecular weight estimates of 223,800 Daltons and 89,100 Daltons were obtained. Only the components of the peak with the lighter weight exhibited cellulase activity. The enzyme showed optimum activity at pH 4.5 and 40oC. Na+ and Ca++ ions stimulated enzyme activity while EDTA and Hg++ were inhibitory. The apparent km for the hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose was approximately 0.53mgml-1. The occurrence of cellulase in tomato fruits infected with P. funiculosum Thom. and its absence in uninfected fruits suggests a role of this enzyme in pathogenicity of the fungus. Cellulolytic components of the fruits are degraded, the fruits are deteriorated and lost to this post harvest pathogen. Knowledge of the conditions of growth of this fungus and properties of this enzyme will assist the farmer in optimizing production of these fruits and engaging the best conditions for preservation.
Key word: Gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, enzyme activity, molecular weight, carboxymethyl-cellulose, deteriorated, infected.