Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pec...Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.展开更多
A field study was conducted at CRIN Uhonmora Substation, Edo State in Derived Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria between 2007 and 2008. The experiment determined influence of intercropping cocoa with rice and plantain at ...A field study was conducted at CRIN Uhonmora Substation, Edo State in Derived Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria between 2007 and 2008. The experiment determined influence of intercropping cocoa with rice and plantain at early stage of field establishment. Four treatments considered were cocoa （sole）, cocoa/rice, cocoa/plantain and cocoa/rice/plantain. Spacing of 3.1 m apart was used for cocoa and plantain while rice was 30 cm. Plot laid out was randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data on cocoa morphological parameters comprising plant height, girth and leaf area as well as weed biomass were measured monthly. Cocoa survival count was also determined. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA, and LSD was used to separate the means. Survival count showed over 95% survival in all treatments without any significance differences. On plant height and leaf area vegetative growth were significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） in the intercrops than the sole cocoa but not significantly different in all the months. Plant vigour was significantly higher in cocoa/plantain intercrop. Cocoa/rice/plantain produced the least weed biomass while cocoa sole gave the highest. Therefore, cocoa/rice and cocoa/plantain intercrops could be recommended to cocoa farmers in Nigeria instead of sole planting at early age of field establishment.展开更多
文摘Pectinex XXL,a commercially prepared pectinase,was investigated for its potential application in the fruit juice industry.Polygalacturonic acid was used as the substrate for determining the enzymatic properties of Pectinex XXL using the DNS method.According to the results,the optimal pH for Pectinex XXL activity was 4.5,and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.0~4.5.The optimal pH and pH stability range are consistent with those of some tropical and subtropical fruits.The optimal temperature for Pectinex XXL activity was 60℃,and the enzyme remained stable after one hour in a water bath set at 40℃.Additionally,the enzymatic activity was not inhibited in the presence of 1 mmol/L of Na^(+),Mg^(2+),Ba^(2+),Co^(2+),Zn^(2+),and Fe^(2+),whereas it was slightly inhibited in the presence of 2 mmol/L of K^(+)and Fe^(2+)and partially inhibited in the presence of 1 and 2 mmol/L of Ca^(2+)and Mn^(2+),demonstrating its good stability in acids and excellent thermal catalytic performance.Based on the above experimental results,depectinization experiments were performed on plantain and cherry tomato juices using different amounts of Pectinex XXL.After one hour reaction with 16 U/mL of the enzyme,the yields of the plantain and cherry tomato juices were substantially increased by 119.03%and 15.97%,respectively,while their light transmittance was remarkably enhanced by 37.65%and 12.35%,respectively.Furthermore,the enzyme reduced the viscosity of the plantain and cherry tomato juices by 88.29%and 29.50%,respectively.The juice production experiments confirmed that this enzyme can significantly improve the yield and light transmittance of plantain juice,while effectively reducing its viscosity.These findings indicate the potential of Pectinex XXL in the industrial production of plantain juice.
文摘A field study was conducted at CRIN Uhonmora Substation, Edo State in Derived Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria between 2007 and 2008. The experiment determined influence of intercropping cocoa with rice and plantain at early stage of field establishment. Four treatments considered were cocoa （sole）, cocoa/rice, cocoa/plantain and cocoa/rice/plantain. Spacing of 3.1 m apart was used for cocoa and plantain while rice was 30 cm. Plot laid out was randomized complete block design replicated three times. Data on cocoa morphological parameters comprising plant height, girth and leaf area as well as weed biomass were measured monthly. Cocoa survival count was also determined. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA, and LSD was used to separate the means. Survival count showed over 95% survival in all treatments without any significance differences. On plant height and leaf area vegetative growth were significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） in the intercrops than the sole cocoa but not significantly different in all the months. Plant vigour was significantly higher in cocoa/plantain intercrop. Cocoa/rice/plantain produced the least weed biomass while cocoa sole gave the highest. Therefore, cocoa/rice and cocoa/plantain intercrops could be recommended to cocoa farmers in Nigeria instead of sole planting at early age of field establishment.
