New Sources of Pectin: Extraction, Processing, and Industrial Applications

Abstract

One of the most important polysaccharides in the vegetal kingdom is pectin. This class of natural polysaccharide is found primarily in citrus fruits and apple pomace. Pectin has been used in different sectors of the industry, among which the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and paper industries stand out. Today, there is a growing demand for this type of hydrocolloid, where both the scientific and industrial fields have focused on using new sources of pectin and developing novel extraction methods. This chapter describes the chemical structure of pectin and its main chemical characteristics. Then, the conventional sources from which pectin is obtained are exposed as well as its main industrial applications. Subsequently, the physicochemical and functional properties of pectins obtained from unconventional sources are described and analyzed as well as the main technologies used for their extraction. Finally, the most recent advances in the role played by pectin in the industrial sector are described.