This group of enzymes is found in many higher flowering plants and is used to break down pectins, a structural polysaccharide (polysaccharide) that is mainly found in plant cell walls. In ripening fruit, they contribute to the softening of the cell structure. In winemaking, they play a central role in breaking down the pectins contained in the cell wall material, which pass into the grape must during the pressing process and increase the viscosity there due to their strong water-binding effect. This can have a negative effect on juice yield, clarification, filtration and the release of aromatic and colouring substances.
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“