The viability of the scaling-up of pectinases production by Aspergillus flavipes at 5 L-bioreactor scale has been demonstrated by keeping constant the power input, and a drastic increase in the endo-and exopectinolytic enzyme production was recorded (7- and 40-fold, respectively). The main process variables were modelled by means of logistic and Gompertz equations. In order to overcome the limitations of the conventional downstream strategies, a novel extraction strategy was proposed on the basis of the adequate salting-out potential of two biocompatible cholinium-based ionic liquids (N1112OHCl and N1112OHH2PO4) in aqueous solutions of Tergitol, reaching more than 90% of extraction. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.