Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Enzymes are biocatalysts produced by all living cells to bring about specific biochemical reactions as a part of metabolic processes occurring within the cells. The potential of microorganisms for use as biocatalysts has drawn a great deal of attention in a variety of industrial processes. Pectinases are a complex and diverse group of enzymes involved in the degradation of pectic substances by the hydrolysis of pectin, a structural polysaccharide usually present in the primary cell wall and middle lamella in the tissues of higher plants. They are known to be produced from a wide variety of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Protopectinases, esterases and depolymerases are the most widely studied groups of pectinases and each of these finds a significant importance in the biotechnological industry. Microbial pectinases have wide applications in several industries including pulp, textile, food, fruit and juice, etc. proving to be the future enzymes of the commercial sector. The present chapter focuses on the structure, classification, production techniques and applications of microbial pectinase.

Keywords: enzymes, biocatalysts, pectinase