What is pectin

What is pectin? Many people are not very clear about it. Today I will introduce it to you. Pectin is an acidic polysaccharide substance found in plants. It usually exists in the form of powder, is light yellow in color, has a slightly sour taste, is relatively water-soluble, and is widely used in many fields. For example, pectin is used in food to make thickeners, stabilizers, suspending agents, emulsifiers, gelling agents, enhancers, etc.

The most widely used is cosmetics. There are many benefits to using cosmetics containing pectin. It can protect human skin well, prevent ultraviolet radiation and radiation, and help beautify the skin. If there are wounds on the skin, pectin can also be used. Friends with pimples and acne on their faces can use more cosmetics containing pectin. Pectin has many other functions, which are introduced below.

Pectin exists in the cell walls and inner layers of plants and serves as a supporting substance for the internal cells. Different vegetables and fruits have different tastes, which are mainly determined by the pectin content and differences in pectin molecules they contain. The peels of citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits contain about 30% pectin, which is the richest source of pectin. According to the composition of pectin, there are two types: homogeneous polysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides. Homogeneous polysaccharide pectin includes D-galactan, L-arabinan and D-galacturonic acid polysaccharide; heteropolysaccharide pectin is the most common, which is composed of galacturonic acid polysaccharide, galactan and arabinan in different proportions, usually called pectin acid. The proportions of pectin from different sources vary. Partially methylated pectin acid is called pectin acid. About 20% to 60% of the carboxyl groups in natural pectin are esterified, with a molecular weight of 20,000 to 40,000. The crude product of pectin is a slightly yellowish white powder, which dissolves in 20 parts of water to form a viscous, odorless solution with a negative charge. Pectin is widely used in the food industry. A proper amount of pectin can gel ice cream, jam and juice.

Pectin is a natural polymer compound with good gelling and emulsifying stabilization effects and has been widely used in food, medicine, daily chemical and textile industries. Pomelo peel is rich in pectin, with a content of about 6%, making it an ideal raw material for making pectin. Pectin is divided into three types: pectin liquid, pectin powder and low-methoxy pectin, among which pectin powder is the most widely used. This paper introduces the processing technology of preparing pectin powder and low methoxyl pectin from pomelo peel.

Everyone knows what pectin is. Its functions are very wide-ranging and effective. It can be said that pectin is a treasure. It can be used in many aspects. It is extracted from plants and is relatively safe. You can use it with confidence. I hope that the content introduced today can help you better understand pectin.