Plants engineered to have increased levels of β-1,4-galactan
may enhance biofuel production
Best known for its ability to transform simmering pots of
sugared fruit into marmalades and jams, pectin is a major constituent of plant
cell walls and the middle lamella, the sticky layer that glues neighboring
plant cells together. Pectin imparts strength and elasticity to the plant and
forms a protective barrier against the environment. Several different kinds of
pectic compounds combine to form pectin. The relative proportion of each of
these depends on the plant species, location within the plant, and environment.