MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF TANNASE-PRODUCING MICROBIOTA FROM PUNICA GRANATUM L. PEEL

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, organic acids, and tannins. Pomegranate peel, a byproduct of processing, is of interest for microbiological research. The aim of this study was to produce the enzyme tannase and identify its microbiological producers. Results obtained using MALDI-TOF MS technology showed that fungi such as Aspergillus oryzae and Talaromyces albobiverticillius are the main producers with high enzymatic activity. The obtained scores (Aspergillus oryzae – 1,77; Talaromyces albobiverticillius – 2,33) confirm the reliability of the identification. Thus, the results of this study are of great importance for the selection of effective strains for the biotechnological production of tannase. Quantitative enzymatic assays demonstrated that these isolates possess significant tannase activity, with maximum yields reaching 28 U/mL for Aspergillus oryzae (strain UC1/DFCSR24) and 15 U/mL for Talaromyces albobiverticillius (strain UC5) under optimized culture conditions. These results highlight the potential of pomegranate peel microbiota as a valuable source of fungal strains for the biotechnological production of tannase.