protopectinasen.

1927 Bot. Gaz. 83 331 Protopectinase.—The term applied to the enzyme which hydrolyzes or dissolves protopectin, with the resultant separation of the plant cells from each other, usually spoken of as maceration.

1951 Z. I. Kertesz Pectic Substances xiv. 335 Until a few years ago it was believed that protopectinase is distinct from the enzyme which hydrolyzes the 1,4 glycosidic linkages in pectinic acids... However, there is now a growing tendency toward the view that the two enzymes (protopectinase and pectin-polygalacturonase) are identical.

1973 J. J. Doesburg in L. P. Miller Phytochemistry I. x. 281 In the past a specific enzyme, protopectinase, was thought to produce soluble pectic material from protopectin... Since there is no adequate proof of the existence of such a specific enzyme..it is believed that the action of ‘macerating’ enzymes is exerted by one or more of the pectic enzymes mentioned hereafter.