Inhibition of cell wall degrading cellulase enzyme – the incitant of anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum capsici on capsicum fruit

Cell wall degrading enzymes, namely cellulase, were detected in senescence and diseased macerated
tissue of capsicum fruit. Their purported role in pathogenicity of Colletotrichum capsici was studied in
detail. In situ production of cellulase concentration ranging from 80 – 360 mg was recorded in healthy
capsicum fruit during storage. Production of this enzyme increased with an increase in the storage
period. Increase in production of cellulase enzyme was recorded in infected tissue from seventh day after
inoculation. Increased productions of this cell wall degrading enzyme coincide with disease
manifestation and rapid progress of decay on capsicum fruit. Production of cellulase enzyme ranged
from 80 – 360 mg. Conidial germination with advance of incubation period and further growth of C.
capsici increased the production of cellulase enzyme. Conidia of C. capsici showed a gradual increase in
production of cellulase enzyme with an increase in the incubation period. Treatment of capsicum fruit
with different concentrations of calcium chloride, lactic acid and sorbic acid showed a 100%, 85.1% and
83.2% decrease in production of cellulase enzyme at the concentration of 1000 ppm, 500 ppm and
1000 ppm respectively.