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Pectin is the main component of the middle lamella of cell wall. The pectinase exists in the natural plant tissue, which can catalyze the decomposition of the pectin and disrupts the integrity of the cell wall, so the firmness of fruit and vegetable decrease. Ethylene, Ca2+ and temperature are important factors which affects the softening of fruits and vegetables during storage. The common storage methods include physical, chemical and biological preservation techniques, which have different mechanisms on the softening of fruits and vegetables. This paper focuses on the structure of pectin and the classification of pectinase, meanwhile the effect of common storage preservation technologies on pectinases is summarized, which can lay a theoretical foundation for the study of the inhibition of softening during the storage of fruits and vegetables.