A novel endo-polygalacturonase (PGC-AN64) from Aspergillus niger HO32 was produced (88.22 U/mL) on orange peel by-product (OPP), purified, biochemically characterized, and its utility in clarification of orange juice was elucidated. The enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation (80 %) and gel filtration chromatography on Sephacryl® S-200 HR column. Its pH and temperature optima were 6.5 and 70 °C, respectively, and was stable over a pH range of 5–7 and temperature 60–80 °C. The 26-residue NH2-terminal sequence of PGC-AN64 showed high homology with those of Aspergillus pectinases. Metal ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+) positively affect PGC-AN64 activity, while Ba2+, Cd2+, and Cr3+ negatively affect its original activity. Interestingly, PGC-AN64 exhibited a considerable substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency compared to the commercial enzymes PECLYVE V (P1) and PECLYVE CP (P2). More interestingly and compared to P1 and P2, PGC-AN64 showed that the clarification process had a significant effect on the transmittance percentages with 84.68 ± 2.08, 88.05 ± 1.79, and 93.13 ± 3.58 % for PGC-AN64, P1, and P2, respectively. Furthermore, color parameters after the clarification process increase in the L* and b* values, and led to a decrease in the a* value. The obtained results suggest that PGC-AN64 revealed its potential in orange juice clarification.

Purification and biochemical characterization of a novel thermostable endo-polygalacturonase from Aspergillus niger strain HO32 and its suitability for clarification of orange juice