Industrial pectins: Sources, production and applications

Industrial pectins are a specific group of carbohydrate polymers composed largely of galacturonic acid units, part of the wider class of plant pectic substances. The normal raw materials are apple pomace and citrus peels, from which pectin is obtained by acid extraction and precipitation using alcohols or aluminium salts. Other raw materials (beet, sunflower, etc.) have been considered and their potential is discussed. Pectin is the traditional gelling agent for jams and jellies, but its applications extend to fruit products for the food industry, dairy products, desserts, soft drinks and pharmaceuticals.