LAUSR

The main task of the present study is to pre-screen selected fungal strain (Fusarium oxysporum M1-EGY) isolated from local agriculture soil and optimize cultivation conditions for an acid pectinase production. Experimental results demonstrated the optimum conditions for achieving the highest enzyme activity (14.80 U/ml) were found to be: incubation period (8 days) at pH (5), temperature (30 °C), and shaking rate (150 rpm), apple pectin carbon source (2%), and ammonium phosphate as nitrogen source (0.2 gN/l). The positive impacts of utilizing the produced crude acid-pectinase in eco-friendly scouring of various cotton knits as well as their subsequent bleaching and reactive dyeing have been confirmed. Additionally, the use of local resources for an acid pectinase production would encourage and promote local production of textile enzymes and their potential applications in Egyptian textile sector, taking in consideration efficiency, textile quality, environmental and economy concerns.