Purification and Characterization of Endo--1,4 Mannanase from Aspergillus niger gr for Application in Food Processing Industry

A thermostable extracellular $\beta$-mannanase from the culture supernatant of a fungus Aspergillus niger gr was purified to homogeneity. SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band of molecular mass 66 kDa. The $\beta$-mannanase exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.5 and $55^{\circ}C$. It was thermostable at $55^{\circ}C$, and retained 50% activity after 6 h at $55^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was stable at a pH range of 3.0 to 7.0. The metal ions $Hg^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, and $Ag^{2+}$ inhibited complete enzyme activity. The inhibitors tested, EDTA, PMSF, and 1,10-phenanthroline, did not inhibit the enzyme activity. N-Bromosuccinimide completely inhibited enzyme activity. The relative substrate specificity of enzyme towards the various mannans is in the order of locust bean gum>guar gum>copra mannan, with $K_m$ of 0.11, 0.28, and 0.33 mg/ml, respectively. Since the enzyme is active over a wide range of pH and temperature, it could find potential use in the food-processing industry.