Piriformospora indica is a root endophytic fungus which acts as plant growth promoter and biofertilizer [1]. Pectinases are a complex group of enzymes that hydrolyze the pectin substances. Pectinolytic enzymes are widely distributed in higher plants and microorganisms. They play important roles in plants during growth and evolution. Pectin as a homo polysaccharide exists in the middle lamella and primary cell walls of terrestrial plants, occupies one-third of the dry weight of plant tissue. Pectinases have been used in several conventional industrial processes; including juice, textile, plant fiber processing, tea, coffee, oil extraction [2]. In this investigation we evaluated activity of pectinase from P. indica at different temperatures. P. indica was cultured on Kaefer medium supplemented with and without pectin. At 6th day, the slurry was filtered and clarified by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm at 4 ºC for 15 min. The total protein was determined by Bradford assay [3] and pectinase activity by the DNS method [4]. One unite of pectinase activity was defined as the amount of enzyme that catalyzed the formation of 1 µmol galacturonic acid per min under the assay condition. Temperature effects on enzyme activity were assayed at different temperature range (25-60 ºC). Higher protein concentration was detected in pectin-treated samples. According to the results, higher activity of pectinase in both medium was observed at 45 ºC. Moreover at 45 ºC pectinase activity of the medium containing pectin was 2.5 times more than medium without pectin. Pectinase activity of P. indica is reported for the first time by our group. References [1]- Kumar, V.; Sahai, V.; Bisaria, V.S. Production of amylase and chlamydospores by Piriformospora indica, a root endophytic fungus. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 2012, 1, 124–128. [2]- Sharma, N.; Rathore, M.; Sharma, M. Microbial pectinase: sources, characterization and applications. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol. 2013, 12, 1, 45-6
