Applications of pectic enzymes

Table III. Technological roles and applications of pectic enzymes...

The classification of pectic enzymes in general, their occurrence in higher plants and micro-organisms and the properties of pectic enzymes from some plants and food grade micro-organisms are described with special emphasis on their substrate specificity. Their technological roles and applications, also in combination with (hemi-)cellulases, in a variety of processes are discussed. Evidence is presented for the existence of a new type of pectic enzyme which acts specifically in the hairy regions of pectic substances. 

More knowledge of physical and chemical properties of pectic enzymes, their substrate specificity, pattern of action, action on plant tissues, interaction with each other and other polysaccharide degrading enzymes is essential to establish their technological roles and to improve existing applications and to develop new applications. 

Pectinases These enzymes carry out the hydrolytic degradation of the D-glycosidic linkage in pectins. The latter substances, also known as pectic substances, are polymeric components of plant cell walls and. like starch, are composed of sugar residues linked by glycosidic bonds. The chemistry is the same as that shown for the amylases previously described. The main application of pectinases is in the production of fruit juices, wines, and certain other food products. 

Pectic enzymes (usually representing a mixture of various enzymes) are manufactured and used on a large scale , the major applications being in fruit juice clarification, as an aid in wine manufacture, and in other instances where a partial or complete destruction of the naturally occurring pectic substances is desirable. 

Pectinases are the enzyme that widely used especially in industrial applications (1, 2, 3, 4). Types of the pectinases are different concerned on their properties and the actions on the pectic substances (5). Several genus of fungi could produce pectinases eg. AspergUlus, PeniciUium, Sclerotium, Fusarium and Rhizopus (6,7). 

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