Evaluation of coffee pulp as substrate for polygalacturonase production in solid state fermentation

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the coffee pulp, a by-product of coffee processing, as substrate for polygalacturonase production by solid state fermentation. In addition, it is a way to take advantage of the coffee pulp. Characterization of the coffee pulp revealed a high content of nutrients for fungi growth, such as reducing sugars (5.4% of dry pulp), proteins (9.4% of dry pulp), pectins (20.5% of dry pulp), which are inducers of pectic hydrolases production and source of carbon after degradation, and caffeine (1.4% of dry pulp), among others. The characterization of the cell-wall of coffee pulp revealed, after polysaccharides fractionation, the content in cell-wall pectins (25.5%), hemicelluloses (11.5%) and cellulosic residue (44%). A strain of Aspergillus niger, called van Thiegem, has been selected as a good producer of polygalacturonases (60 U/ml) using the coffee pulp as the growth substrate. During fermentation, reducing sugars, caffeine and phenolic compounds were consumed till almost exhaustion. A partial characterization of the polygalacturonase using high methoxyl pectin as substrate indicates an optimal pH of 4.0 and 45^oC as optimal temperature, which are good values for the use of the enzyme in vegetable processing, including coffee processing.