Pectinases are one of the upcoming enzymes of fruit and textile industries.
These enzymes break down complete polysaccharides of plant tissues into si
mpler molecules like galacturonic acids. The role of acidic pectinases in b
ringing down the cloudiness and bitterness of fruit juices is well establis
hed. Recently, there has been a good number of reports on the application o
f alkaline pectinases in the textile industry for the retting and degumming
of fiber crops, production of good quality paper, fermentation of coffee a
nd tea, oil extractions and treatment of pectic waste water. This review di
scusses various types of pectinases and their applications in the commercia
l sector. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.