The second international symposium on Pectins and Pectinases was organised by Wageningen University of Research Centre and held in Rotterdam, May 6-10, 2001. This text contains all keynote lectures and other oral presentations and provides an update on contemporary research. The progress in the elucidation of the chemical structure of pectin and mode of action and 3-D structure of the pectin degrading enzymes allows us more and more to identify (and influence) the functionality of pectins and pectic enzymes, both in vitro after isolation as well in the plants themselves (in planta). Other contributions deal with new applications of both pectin and pectin-degrading enzymes, while more and more attention is paid to health and nutritional aspects of pectins. The book provides a state-of-the-art account both for beginners and for experienced researchers of almost all disciplines of pectin research.