Pectinolytic Enzymes of Basidiomycota: Genetic Basis, Culture Conditions, Biochemical Properties, and Industrial Applications
Pectinases are a diverse group of enzymes responsible for the depolymerization and modification of plant cell wall polysaccharides. While bacterial and ascomycete pectinases are well studied and widely applied, the enzymatic potential of Basidiomycota remains underexplored. This review analyzes over...
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| Date: | 2026 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
PH "Akademperiodyka" of the NAS of Ukraine
2026
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.microbiolj.org.ua/index.php/mj/article/view/411 |
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| Journal Title: | Microbiological Journal |
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Microbiological Journal| Summary: | Pectinases are a diverse group of enzymes responsible for the depolymerization and modification of plant cell wall polysaccharides. While bacterial and ascomycete pectinases are well studied and widely applied, the enzymatic potential of Basidiomycota remains underexplored. This review analyzes over 70 species of Basidiomycota and summarizes the genetic diversity of pectinase-encoding genes (over 100 genes associated with pectolytic activity), belonging to the CAZy families GH (8–78 genes, e.g., GH28 for polygalacturonases), PL (up to 24 genes, e.g., PL1 and PL3 for pectin/pectate lyases), and CE (up to 19 genes, e.g., CE8 and CE12 for pectinesterases). Special attention is given to the role of cultivation conditions – substrate type and concentration, temperature, pH, nitrogen supplementation, and co-cultivation – in regulating enzyme biosynthesis and activity. Pectinolytic activity varies widely (0.05 µmol/min/mL to 1163.8 units/gsubstrate), with white-rot fungi achieving the upper range. The most promising producers are from the genera Pleurotus, Trametes, and Lentinula. The review also covers isolation methods, including ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, ion-exchange, and gel-filtration chromatography (purification factors 2.4–10.5, recovery 21–65%), and biochemical properties of basidiomycete pectinases, which exhibit moderate thermostability (40–60 °C optima), acidic pH optima (3.5–6.5), glycoprotein structure, and multiple isoforms. These enzymes show promising properties for fruit juice extraction, clarification, tissue maceration, and bioconversion of agro-industrial wastes. Therefore, Basidiomycota represents a valuable but insufficiently characterized source of industrial pectinases, requiring further study of new strain selection, cultivation optimization, and large-scale enzyme applications. |
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