Comparison of Pectinase Activity in the Flavedo and Albedo of Citrus and Thaumatococcus daniellii Fruits

This study evaluated the pectin content and pectinase activity in both the flavedo and albedo of Citrus sinensis and the comparison of pectinase activities from the albedos of Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus aurantifolia (lemon), and Thaumatococcus danielli (sweet prayer plant). The pectinase was produced from Aspergillus niger in solid-state fermentation with the substrates. The pectin content and pectinase activity were assessed using standard methods. Both the pectin content and pectinase activity of Citrus sinensis albedo were notably higher (p < 0.05) than those of the flavedo. In comparison with the other plants (Citrus aurantifolia and Thaumatococcus danielli), Citrus sinensis albedo exhibited the highest pectinase activity, followed by Citrus aurantifolia and Thaumatococcus daniellii. The implication of the findings showed the albedos of fruit wastes as superior substrates for pectinase production than flavedos. Thus, albedos from Citrus aurantifolia and Thaumatococcus daniellii could be exploited as supplement substrates for the local production of pectinases.