Production of Pectinase Enzymes by Colletotrichum acutatum Simmonds. Causing Anthracnose in Red Chilli (Capsicum annuum, L.)

Almost all pathogenic fungi produce pectinase enzymes used to degrade host cell wall during pathogenesis. The mode of action of C. acutatum (Ca) is no different from other Colletotrichum species. The fungi produce cutinase and pectinase enzymes to weaken the host defenses and help the further infection. The success of pathogenesis by C. acutatum determines the occurrence of anthracnose disease. During pathogenesis, other than cutinase, pectinase is an enzyme that plays a vital role in cell wall degradation of the host. This paper discusses the ability of C. acutatum to produce pectinase enzymes. The fungus of six isolates was the C. acutatum from Java whose pathogenicity was the highest at each sampling location (Malang, Temanggung, Kulonprogo, Brebes, Garut, and Pandeglang). The results showed that all C. acutatum isolates produced pectinase. There was a difference in the ability to macerate enzymes even though enzyme quality test showed no difference.