Pectinases are actually a mixture of enzymes, which help to break down fruit and bee pollen.
Pectins are large polysaccharide molecules, made up (mainly) of chains of several hundred galacturonic acid residues. Enzymes in this pectinase group include polygalacturonases, pectin methyl esterase and pectin lyases. These pectinase enzymes act in different ways on the pectins, which are found in the primary cell walls and in the middle lamella. Pectins are well known also for their ability to form gels.
Pectinases are produced during the natural ripening process of some fruits, where together with cellulases they help to soften their cell walls.