Enzymatic Biotransformation of Pomegranate Ellagitannins: Initial Approach to Reaction Conditions

BACKGROUND: Ellagitannase (Ellagitannin acyl hydrolase) is an inducible enzyme with great potential use in food industry since allows the ellagic acid release from ellagitannins. OBJECTIVE: In this work, ellagitannase was produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger GH1 in solid state fermentation using polyurethane foam as solid support and pomegranate husk ellagitannins as sole carbon source and ellagitannase inducer and an initial approach to the enzymatic reaction conditions was reached. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ellagitannase was produced by Aspergillus niger GH1 in solid state fermentation and the ideal reaction conditions for ellagitannase activity based on ellagic acid quantification as ellagitannins biotransformation product by high performance liquid chromatographic are reported. RESULTS: The enzyme ideal reaction conditions were substrate concentration of 1 mg.mL(-1), 60 °C and pH 5.0, during 10 min of reaction. The kinetic enzyme constants (V(max) = 30.34 mM.mL(-1).min(-1) and K(m) = 1.48 x 10(3) mM) using punicalagin assubstrate were determined. CONCLUSION: The assay was completed in a short time and may find application in future studies of ellagic acid production.