Applications of Pectinolytic Enzymes in Process Industries

The manufacturing of industrial important products by using enzyme technology is sustainable method and much to offer as compared to using chemical catalyst. The enzyme can manage the industrial preparation under mild reaction conditions using specific substrate. Enzyme uses shorter time, produces limited or no wastes and eco-friendly in nature. Pectinase complex enzyme system catalyzes the breakdown of pectin polymers. Pectinase is a generic term used for a group of enzymes that catalyzes the degradation of pectin substances by hydrolysis, trans-elimination, as well as, de-esterification reactions. Pectinase is produced from various organisms including bacteria, fungi, yeast, insects, protozoa and nematodes. Microorganism is usually used for industrial production of pectinase because of its easily growth and cost-effective downstream process. Pectinase has various applications in different industrial process such as fruit juice extraction, treatment of wastewater, papermaking, degumming of plant-based fibers, coffee and tea fermentation. This chapter describes the importance of pectinase and its application in different industrial process. Furthermore, it gives detail review about the pectinase and opportunities for the future research.