Extraction of Pectin from Passiflora edulis by Aqueous Two-Phase System

Pectin, a thickening additive widely used in food, is present in a large amount in the passion fruit peel. The extraction of pectin for the industrial applications would give the economic efficiencies from waste peel and decrease the risk of pollution. However, traditional extraction methods are energy-consuming procedures that affect the purpose of scrap utilization. In the current work, we reported a method to overcome drawbacks by using an aqueous two-phase-extraction. The appropriate conditions for maximization of pectin yield were the use of a system of potassium carbonate (19.93%, w/w); ethanol (28.77%, w/w); water (51.30%, w/w); passion peel extract (0.0200 g/mL) at room temperature. The application of these parameters for the extraction procedure delivered pectin in a 70.91% yield.