An Escherichia coli strain with recombinant Aspergillus spp. pectinase activity for application in bioscouring

Traditional scouring processes involve chemicals and heat, which have a negative environmental footprint with the potential to harm the environment as well as human health. Enzymes offer an environment-friendlyand low-energy-consuming alternative method for textile fabric processing, which is important for sustainable development.

In this study, molecular biology tools were applied to express an endopolygalacturonase enzyme (pectinase) from Aspergillus steynii in Escherichia coli and assess its pectinolytic activity in vitro and on textile fabrics. Pectinolytic activity on fabric was evident in the wicking test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy.

This previously unreported enzyme has a relatively shorter sequence, which is supposed to pose less metabolic load in the host, but has a structure characteristic of greater stability under stressful conditions. This recombinant pectinase enzyme holds promise to be a potential bioscouring agent.