This book sets out to provide the most current reviews of key areas relating to the structure and function of pectins in both foods and developing plant systems. It not only covers the chemical structure, biosynthesis and degradation of these important biopolymers in plants, but also their biophysical properties.

Because of their contributions to the mechanical and textural properties of fruits and vegetables, pectins are extremely valuable in the food industry. These polysaccharide also perform critical functions that impact upon development and defense. Pectins and Their Manipulation provides an overview of the current understandings relating to pectin structure and addresses the ways by which pectin functions in growing plants and the industrial uses of pectins.

Contents

1. The Chemical Structure of Pectins
   • Chemical Structure of Pectins
   • Chemical Stability of Pectins
   • Pectins as Food Ingredients
   • Pectins as "Bioactive" Compounds
   • Methodology in Pectin Research

2. Interaction Between Pectins and Other Polymers
   • Overview of Cell Wall Models
   • Experimental Approaches to the Study of Covalent Crosslinks Between Polymers
   • What Types of Crosslinks to Expect
   • Historical Perspective on Crosslinks to Pectins
   • Evidence for Xyloglucan: Pectin Linkage and Protein Linkage
   • Testing of the Cell Wall Model of 1973
   • Evidence for the Existence of some Crosslinking between Pectin and Hemicellulose
   • Crosslinks and Cell Wall Dynamics
   • Interaction of Pectins with other Polymers

3. Biosynthesis of Pectins
   • What is the Structure of Newly Synthesized Pectin?
   • Subcellular Location of Pectin Synthesis
   • Synthesis of the Nucleotide-Sugar Substrates Required for Pectin Synthesis
   • Glycosyltransferases Involved in Pectin Biosynthesis
   • Future Direction and Resources for Studying Pectin Biosynthesis

4. Biophysical Properties of Pectins
   • Mechanical Properties of Biopolymer Gels
   • Mechanochemistry of the Component Chains of Pectins
   • Petic Gels Under Stress

5. Cell and Development Biology fo Pectins
   • Pectin Biology
   • Tools and Approaches for the Analysis of Pectin in Planta
   • Pectins and the Cell Wall
   • Prospects

6. Modification and Degradation of Pectins,p>
   • Pectin-Degrading Enzymes
   • Pectin Modification During Plant Development
   • Functional Analysis of Pectinases
   • Application of Gene Silencing Techniques
   • Use of Mutants
   • Prospects

7. Microbial Pectinases
   • Polygalacturonases
   • Pectate and Pectin Lyases
   • Heterogalacturonases
   • Pectic Esterases

8. Commercial Pectin Preparations
   • Production
   • Commercial Definitions and Standards
   • General Properties
   • Handling Advice
   • Uses

Index

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