Changes of pectin nanostructure and cell wall stiffness induced in vitro by pectinase

Structural modifications of fruit cell-wall pectins are controlled by various enzymes. In this in vitro study, the cell wall material (CWM) from pear fruit (Pyrus communis L.) was treated using pectinases in two concentrations. Water soluble (WSP), chelator soluble (CSP) and sodium carbonate soluble (DASP) pectin fractions were extracted from CWM. By visualization of enzymatic-induced changes of structure and CWM stiffness using an atomic force microscopy (AFM), the role of pectins in the mechanical properties of cell walls was shown. Galacturonic acid (GalA) content in pectin fractions was assayed as well. This experiment unveiled evidence of the structural degradation of molecules in pectin fractions extracted from CWM caused by in vitro pectinase action and softening of CWM due to pectin removal that might be related to the creation of empty spaces in the cellulose-hemicellulose network.