IJRAP International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 2277-4343 Moksha Publishing House 10.7897/2277-4343.096179 HYDROLYSIS OF PECTIN: STUDY OF PECTINOLYTIC FUNGI RESIDING IN MANDEEPKHOL CAVE, RAJNANDGAON DISTRICT OF CHHATTISGARH, INDIA Arunima Karkun * 11 -0001 97 99 Pectin is a complex colloidal acidic polysaccharide present in the primary cell wall and middle lamella of fruits and vegetables. Some species of fungi are an important microflora which help in degradation of pectin. For biomass utilization, waste management, organic farming and various other industrial purpose the__ampersandsignnbsp;pectin degrading-enzymes will help to achieve tremendous benefits.In present studies a total of 71 fungal species were isolated from Mandeepkhol cave which is situated in Chhattisgarh state and is located in deep forest. The studies were performed to evaluate the degradative potency of fungal species for pectin digestion. The assessment was done on the basis of zone of digestion and mycelial dry weight. Further quantitative test was also performed. Results show that out of total species studied 25 species were found to produce pectin degrading enzyme in substantial tune. Out of 25 species, best grown species were__ampersandsignnbsp;Alternaria alternata, Penicillium mealagrinum__ampersandsignnbsp;var. viridiflavum, Penicillium. citrinum, Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger__ampersandsignnbsp;andPhanerochaete chyrsosporium. Degradation Pectin Biomass and Mandeepkhol cave