21st Century Guidebook to Fungi, SECOND EDITION, by David Moore, Geoffrey D. Robson and Anthony P. J. Trinci

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 9: Continuing the diversity theme: cell and tissue differentiation
2. Chapter 10: Fungi in ecosystems
   1. Contributions of fungi to ecosystems
   2. Breakdown of polysaccharide: cellulose
   3. Breakdown of polysaccharide: hemicellulose
   4. Breakdown of polysaccharide: pectins
   5. Breakdown of polysaccharide: chitin
   6. Breakdown of polysaccharide: starch and glycogen
   7. Lignin degradation
   8. Digestion of protein
   9. Lipases and esterases
   10. Phosphatases and sulfatases
   11. The flow of nutrients: transport and translocation
   12. Primary (intermediary) metabolism
   13. Secondary metabolism
   14. Chapter 10 References and further reading
   15. Buy a PDF of Chapter 10
3. Chapter 11: Exploiting fungi for food

10.4 Breakdown of polysaccharide: pectins

Pectins consist of chains of β1→4 linked galacturonic acids, in which about 20 to 60% of the carboxyl groups are esterified with methanol. They occur primarily in the middle lamella between plant cells. As this represents only a small proportion of the plant wall they are correspondingly of little importance as a component of the bulk of plant litter. However, extensive breakdown of the middle lamella of living plants is brought about by necrotrophic parasites. Pectinases, therefore, are of great importance during fungal invasion of plant tissue and different pectinase activities are involved in pathogenicity of fungi responsible for a wide array of diseases (Reignault et al., 2008).

Polygalacturonases and pectin lyases attack the true pectins, while arabanases and galactanases degrade the neutral sugar polymers associated with them. These activities have drastic effects on the structural integrity of the tissues which may extend to death of the cell due to osmotic stresses imposed by damage to the wall. It seems likely that the products of pectinase activity will be absorbed as nutrient by the fungus, but these enzymes are better considered to be part of the machinery by which plant defences are breached than as being concerned primarily with nutrient supply (Chiu et al., 2021). In addition to their importance in pathogenicity, pectinases are growing in importance in biotechnology; for example, in the processing of fruit and vegetable juices, wine, tea, coffee, and animal feeds, in extraction of vegetable oil, and in recycling of pulp and waste paper (see Section 17.16; Benoit et al., 2012; Garg et al., 2016).

For the price of a Coffee & Butter Croissant ($5) you can buy yourself a PDF file of this chapter from 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi Online. Our PDFs feature an elegantly simple text layout that is easily readable on your mobile or other device, and all hyperlinks are live so you can continue to enjoy the Internet experience. Chapter 10: Fungi in ecosystems, is a 45-page PDF file priced at FIVE US$ ($5) Delivered to you by SendOwl Not convinced yet? Download a FREE sample HERE

Updated August, 2021