The research was conducted with the production of pectinase enzyme by fungal fermentation using Rhizopus oryzae and characterization of produced enzyme with respect to pH, temperature, incubation time, and substrate specificity. Carbon source was optimized replacing sugar with different concentration of pectin (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0%) during submerged fermentation. The outcomes of the fermentation process showed that media containing carbon source of 1% pectin replaced dextrose at pH 6.0 incubating for 72 hours at 35 °C were the best condition for pectinase production. The maximal activity for pectinase enzyme produced from Rhizopus oryzae by fermentation was 3.16 U.mL -1 and it was found at 40 °C and pH 6.5. The produced pectinase enzyme was found thermo stable up to 60 °C for 50 min. The activity of the enzyme was increased with the increasing pectin concentration in the media and maximum activity was found at the pectin concentration of 5 mg.mL -1 . The k m and V max values were found 0.84 mg.mL -1 and 5.294 mg.mL -1 respectively at optimized condition. The outcomes of the research may be useful for further research in low cost production of pectinases from R.oryzae for domestic consumption in many industries.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the dehydration kinetics and quantify its effect on the various physicochemical properties of the osmo‐dehydrated plum during storage at an ambient condition. The six treatments with a combination of three different sucrose–sodium chloride concentrations and two peeling conditions were selected in the experiment. Among the treatments, peeled plum dipped into 5% NaCl solution exhibited a faster drying rate. Concerning the rehydration properties of the osmo‐dehydrated plum, the whole plum immersed into 500B sucrose solution showed the highest reconstitution behavior and the lowest moisture content (wb). The highest values of water activity of 0.514 and the lowest values of texture 1.79 N‐mm2 were investigated in 500B sucrose treated whole plum. The peeled plum obtained the highest lightness (L), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) compared to the unpeeled plum. Osmo‐dehydrated plum with high sugar solution contained more sugar and less total phenolic content nevertheless using only 5% NaCl resulted in less sugar and more total phenolic content after the treatment. The osmo‐dehydrated whole plums prepared in 500B sucrose scored the highest overall acceptability (8.0, e.g., like very much) followed by the 500B sucrose with peeled plum envisaged the sensory evaluation analysis. In conclusion, the osmo‐dehydrated plum treated in 500B sucrose and unpeeled condition performed better with a view to the overall plum quality, color, and acceptability judged by the expert panelists even after 12 months of storage at room temperature.