Pectinase Definition: Pectinase is a general term for enzymes that break down pectin, a polysaccharide substrate that is found in the cell walls of plants. One of the most studied and widely used commercial pectinases is polygalacturonase. It is useful because pectin is the jelly-like matrix which helps cement plant cells together and in which other cell wall components, such as cellulose fibrils, are embedded. Therefore pectinase enzymes are commonly used in processes involving the degradation of plant materials, such as speeding up the extraction of fruit juice from fruit, including apples and sapota. Pectinases have also been used in wine production since the 1960s. They can be extracted from fungi such as Aspergillus niger. The fungus produces these enzymes to break down the middle lamella in plants so that it can extract nutrients from the plant tissues and insert fungal hyphae. If pectinase is boiled it will become denatured (distorted) making it harder to connect with the pectin at the active site, and produce as much juices. Pectinases are also used for retting. Addition of chelating agents or pretreatment of the plant material with acid enhance the effect of the enzyme. Pectinase was involved in the development of Ribena in the 1930s at the Long Ashton Research Station. Optimum environment As they are enzymes, pectinases have an optimum temperature and pH at which they are most active. For example, a commercial pectinase might typically be activated at 45 to 55 °C and work well at a pH of 4.0 to 5. Research Article:: The influence of tannins on the degradation of pectin by pectinase enzymes D. E. Hathway and J. W. T. Seakins..........158–163 Abstract | Full text PDF | Browse pages The chromatographic examination of the products of the action of pectinase on pectin M. A. Jermyn and R. G. Tomkins..........437–442 Abstract | Full text PDF | Browse pages | Figures  Guimarães, Luis Henrique S. et al. Screening of filamentous fungi for production of enzymes of biotechnological interest. Braz. J. Microbiol., Dec 2006, vol.37, no.4, p.474-480. ISSN 1517-8382 abstract in english | portuguese    · text in english Phutela, Urmila et al. Pectinase and polygalacturonase production by a thermophilic Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from decomposting orange peels. Braz. J. Microbiol., Mar 2005, vol.36, no.1, p.63-69. ISSN 1517-8382 abstract in english | portuguese    · text in english Barense, Renata I. et al. Partial purification and characterization of exopolygalacturonase II and III of Penicillium frequentans. Braz. J. Microbiol., Dec 2001, vol.32, no.4, p.327-330. ISSN 1517-8382 abstract in english | portuguese    · text in english Pectinase from Saccharomyces bayanus US Patent Issued on September 15, 1998 http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5807727-fulltext.html

Last update: 05-July-2007