Pectin is a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls that acts as a gelling agent, particularly in food products. Pectinolytic enzymes, including various pectinases, degrade pectin and are utilized across multiple industries such as food, textiles, and pharmaceuticals for various applications like juice extraction and fabric processing. Microbial strains that produce pectinase can be screened using specific reagents like Congo red, indicating their potential for efficient biotechnological use.