Constitutive expression, purification and characterisation of pectin methylesterase from Aspergillus niger in Pichia pastoris for potential application in the fruit juice industry

BACKGROUND: Pectin methylesterase (PME) catalyses the hydrolysis of themethyl ester of pectin, yielding free carboxyl groups andmethanol. PME is widely used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. RESULTS: PME from Aspergillus niger was constitutively expressed to a high level in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant PME was purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation and ion exchange chromatography, giving an overall yield of 28.0%. It appeared as a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with a molecular mass of about 45 kDa. Optimal activity of the enzyme occurred at a temperature of 50. C and a pH of 4.7. The K-m, V-max and k(cat) values of the enzyme with respect to pectin were 8.6 mmol L-1 [_parallel to(o)(c)_(o)_(CH3)]. , 1.376 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) and 8.26 x 10(2) s(-1) respectively. Cations such as K+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ slightly inhibited its activity, whereas Na+ had no effect. CONCLUSION: PME from A. niger was constitutively expressed to a high level in P. pastoris without methanol induction. The recombinant PME was purified and characterised and shown to be a good candidate for potential application in the fruit juice industry. (C) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry