Alkaline pectinases: A review

Pectinolytic microbes have been industrially exploited for pectinases that are environment friendly enzymes and mineralize pectic substances present in the environment. This review provides structural understanding of the molecular determinants of pectin utilization, mechanisms driving catabolite selectivity and industrial applicability. The topology of pectinase with distinct catalytic machinery enables it to persist in harsh environment during infection and analysis of pectin degradation pathway has resulted in understanding the role of different pectinases in subsequent steps of substrate digestion in different cellular compartments. The pH has a definite role in altering enzyme properties. Acidic pectinases are utilized especially in food processing industries for extraction and clarification of fruit juices. Alkaline pectinases find tremendous applications in biotechnology based industries especially for cotton bioscouring and retting of plant fibers in textile processing, paper making and treatment of waste water containing pectinaceous material. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.