Abstract Pectin lyase acts on the pectic substances that occur as structural polysaccharides in the middle lamella and primary cell walls of higher plants. This enzyme has potential applications in food, paper and textile industries. Since new applications of this enzyme are emerging there is a scientific need to explore the important aspects of the enzyme specifically the catalytic efficiency and possible sources. Though the research work on pectin lyase has been done for the last six decades but there is no exclusive review on pectin lyase so far available in the literature. This review tries to fill this gap by providing all relevant information exclusively for pectin lyase. The topics covered in this review are a brief description of the substrate pectin, enzymes related to pectin lyase, assay procedures, sources, purification and characterization, structural aspects, substrate specificity, molecular biology, biotechnological applications and future prospects of pectin lyases.