Purified pectinase is a multi-component preparation highly effective in depolymerizing plant pectins with varying degrees of esterification. The product contains substantial hemicellulase, cellulase, pectinesterase and xylanase activities which together with pectin lyase and polygalacturonase work synergistically to digest plant cell wall tissues. When used with Worthington purified cellulase, purified pectinase has been found to be highly successful for generating good yields of viable protoplasts in several plant systems, e.g., corn, soybean, red beet, sunflower, tomato and citrus