The tribologial performance of pectin polysaccharide as additive of water based lubricant was studied by using micro friction and wear tester.The lubricating mechanisms of aqueous solution of pectin were analyzed by SEM and EDS.And the effect of the anions existed in the industrial water on the tribologial performance of water-based lubricant of pectin was investigated.The results pectin polysaccharide shows low friction when used as an additive in water.With the increase of the additive amount of pectin polysaccharide in water,the friction reducing performance is improved.This is mainly due to formed lubrication film by adsorption of the pectin on the surface.The types and concentration of anions shows different impacts on the friction reduction performance of the water-based lubricant of pectin,it is because of the salting-out effect and the adsorption of anions on the steel surfaces.