Characterization of ionically crosslinked mango peel pectin-based films: Effect of different cations on the improved properties of film

Mango peels are often dumped as waste, producing severe environmental issues. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of mango peel pectin and its based films prepared by crosslinking with cations. The results showed that pectin obtained from mango peel is high-methoxy pectin and consists of aggregates of linear homogalacturonan. Thin films were prepared with the extracted mango peel pectin crosslinked with Ca2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+, respectively, and were characterized. The crosslinking improved the properties of the pectin-based film, including tensile strength, hydrophobic properties, and thermal stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques and X-ray diffraction exhibited the nature of inter-molecular interactions between ions and pectin in films, while scanning electron microscope showed the observable differences in the microstructure. These results showed that the crosslinking of pectin with cations would provide new insight for preparing a pectin-based film with excellent properties.