Cultivar/Location and Processing Methods Affect Yield and Quality of Sunflower Pectin

The influence of cultivar/location of sunflower and grinding, blanching, water washing, and re-extraction of sunflower head residues were studied for yield and quality of pectin. Sunflower head residues from seven varieties/locations were used. The Interstate cultivar from Ardock (North Dakota) and Agri-Pro from Canington (North Dakota) had highest yields (9.14–9.47%). Galacturonic acid content of the pectin did not differ significantly among cultivars. Grinding sunflower heads to particle size <60 mesh did not increase yield or quality of pectin. Peroxidase in head residues was completely inactivated after heat treatment at 75°C for 15 min. Higher shear blending did not increase yield, but decreased molecular mass and firmness of pectin gels. Extracting pectin twice yielded a total 13–14% pectin without lowering pectin quality.     

Structural Characteristics of Pumpkin Pectin Extracted by Microwave Heating

Abstract: To improve extraction yield of pumpkin pectin, microwave heating was adopted in this study. Using hot acid extraction, pumpkin pectin yield decreased from 5.7% to 1.0% as pH increased from pH 1.0 to 2.0. At pH 2.5, no pectin was recovered from pumpkin flesh powder. After a pretreatment at pH 1.0 and 25 °C for 1 h, pumpkin powder was microwave‐extracted at 120 °C for 3 min resulting in 10.5% of pectin yield. However, premicrowave treatment at 60 °C for 20 min did not improve extraction yield. When microwave heating at 80 °C for 10 min was applied after premicrowave treatment, final pectin yield increased to 11.3%. When pH was adjusted to 2.0, the yield dropped to 7.7% under the same extraction conditions. Molecular shape and properties as well as chemical composition of pumpkin pectin were significantly affected depending on extraction methods. Galacturonic acid content (51% to 58%) of pumpkin pectin was lower than that detected in commercial acid‐extracted citrus pectin, while higher content of neutral sugars and acetyl esters existed in pumpkin pectin structure. Molecular weight (M_w) and intrinsic viscosity (η_w) determined for microwave‐extracted pumpkin pectins were substantially lower than acid‐extracted pectin, whereas polydispersity was greater. However, microwave‐extracted pectin at pH 2.0 had more than 5 times greater M_w than did the pectin extracted at pH 1.0. The η_w of microwave‐extracted pectin produced at pH 2.0 was almost twice that of other microwave‐extracted pectins, which were comparable to that of acid‐extracted pectin. These results indicate that extraction yield of pumpkin pectin would be improved by microwave extraction and different pectin structure and properties can be obtained compared to acid extraction. Practical Application: Pumpkin is a promising alternative source for pectin material. Pumpkin pectin has a unique chemical structure and physical properties, presumably providing different functional properties compared to conventional commercial pectin sources. Depending on the conditions to produce pumpkin pectin, diverse molecular structures can be obtained and utilized in various food applications.     

Pectin extraction from citron peel: optimization by Box–Behnken response surface design

In this study, the effect of acidic extraction conditions (time of 30–90 min, temperature of 75–95 °C and pH of 1.5–3) on the yield and degree of esterification (DE) of citron peel pectin was investigated applying Box–Behnken design. The highest production yield of pectin (28.31?±?0.11%) was achieved at extraction time of 90 min, temperature of 95 °C and pH of 1.5, as optimal extraction conditions, which was close to the predicted value (29.87%). Under optimum extraction conditions, the DE and the emulsifying activity were 51.33 and 46.2%, respectively. In addition, the emulsions were 93.9 and 93.5 stable at 4 °C, 93.7 and 93.1 at 23 °C after 1 and 30 days, respectively. The determination of flow behavior showed that the pectin solutions had a Newtonian behavior at low concentrations (<?1.0% w/v), while this behavior was changed to pseudoplastic with increasing concentration.     

Pectinesterase Activity, Pectin Methylation, and Texture Changes During Storage of Blanched Cucumber Slices

Pectin methylation in blanched cucumber slices after 6 months’storage in acid brine (pH 3.7) ranged from 9% (no blanch) to 48% (99°C, 3 min blanch). An 81°C blanch caused complete pectinesterase inactivation, but 15 - 20% reactivation occurred during storage. After a 99°C blanch, only slight reactivation was observed. Pectinesterase was not inactivated at 66°C or less, but up to 85% of the activity was lost during storage. Firmness changes were complex. A clear relationship between pectin methylation and firmness changes was not observed. A 66 or 81°C blanch resulted in best firmness retention. Calcium ion was very effective in prevention of firmness loss regardless of the extent of pectin methylation.     

Optimizing Water Washing Process for Sunflower Heads before Pectin Extraction

Most pigment in sunflower heads is water soluble, but is strongly associated with extractable pectin. Washing sunflower heads before pectin extraction is necessary to remove pigment and improve pectin quality. An undesirable side effect is loss of water-soluble pectin. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to determine effects of variables and to optimize washing conditions for minimum pectin loss with maximum pigment removal. Benchscale washing experiments were carried out at 70-80°C for 10-30 min at water/solid ratios (v/w) of 20:1 to 40: 1, respectively. Both removal of water-soluble pigments and loss of pectin from sunflower tissue increased with increasing temperature, washing time, and water/solid ratio. Optimum conditions were 74.8°C for 25 min at a 25:1 water/solid ratio. This resulted in removal of 56.47% of the pigment, but loss of 2.90% of the pectin, which is practicable for the sunflower pectin industry.     

Influence of heat treatment of goat milk on casein micelle size,rheological and textural properties of acid gels and set type yoghurts

Acid gels and yoghurts were made from goat milk that was heated at 72°C/30 s, 85°C/5 min, and 95°C/5 min, followed by acidification with starter culture at 43C until pH 4.6. The rheological and textural properties of acid gels and yoghurts were analyzed using dynamic low amplitude oscillatory rheology and back extrusion texture analysis, respectively. The effect of goat milk heat treatment on the mean casein micelle diameter and protein profile was also determined by dynamic light scattering and SDS PAGE electrophoresis, respectively. The shortest gelation and fermentation time was recorded for yoghurt prepared from milk heated at 85°C/5 min. Also, the pH of gelation, the storage moduli (G′) and yield stress were higher for this yoghurt, compared with the other two. Textural properties of goat milk yoghurts such as firmness and consistency were strongly affected by milk heat treatment, and the highest values were recorded for yoghurt produced from milk preheated at 85°C/5 min, as well. The largest casein micelles were measured after 85°C/5 min treatment and their size decreased at higher temperature, despite higher denaturation of whey proteins at the most intense heat regime, indicating the structure changes that influence on the acid gelation.     

Structural and physical properties of dried Anaheim chilli peppers modified by low‐temperature blanching

The effect of low‐temperature blanching and drying processes on the ultrastructural and physical properties of Anaheim chilli pepper was studied and optimum conditions to provide a final product with maximum firmness were determined. Lots of Anaheim pepper were blanched in water for 4 min at 48, 55, 65, 75 and 82 °C and maintained for hold times of 35, 45, 60, 75 and 85 min, blanched again for 4 min at 96 °C and dehydrated at 53, 60, 70, 80 and 87 °C. After treatment the samples were rehydrated in water at 30 °C. Rehydration ratio, texture and structural changes were evaluated. Optimisation used a second‐order rotatable central composite design. Texture and rehydration ratio were affected by blanching temperature and the interaction of blanching temperature with hold time (p ≤ 0.05); drying temperature did not show a significant effect. The best results, ie those which gave greatest firmness, were obtained by blanching at 64 °C for 4 min, holding for 55 min after blanching, followed by a second blanching at 96 °C for 4 min and then drying at 70 °C. Evaluation of the rehydrated dried pepper by microscopy showed that low‐temperature blanching close to the optimum conditions provided a protective effect in maintaining cell wall integrity. The results of processing increased firmness in the rehydrated product by a factor of 1.97. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

香蕉皮中果胶提取工艺的研究

分别用醇沉淀法和盐析法从香蕉皮中提取果胶,确定了两种方法酸解的工艺条件。通过单因素试验和正交试验,得出醇沉淀法提取果胶的最佳工艺条件:pH为2,料液比为1∶2,酸解温度为85℃,酸解时间为120 min;通过正交试验,得出盐析法酸解最佳工艺条件:pH为1.5,料液比为1∶3,酸解温度为95℃,酸解时间为90 min。醇析法所得果胶色泽较好,呈灰白色,质地粘稠;盐析法所得果胶色泽棕灰,质地疏松,但产率较高。     

Influence of the Enzymatic Modification of the Nonstarchy Polysaccharide Fractions on the Baking Properties of Reconstituted Rye Flour

The effect of the nonstarchy polysaccharide (NSP)-hydrolases on the properties of rye bread was established by enzymatic modification of the enriched soluble and insoluble NSP fractions, followed by flour recombination and bread baking (20g flour per minibread). Two microbial enzyme preparations were used for the modification (incubation 2 hr at 28°C, 15 min at 75°C, and 10 min at 95°C; pH 4.6). Modification of the insoluble NSP decreased crumb firmness and increased specific volume. Hydrolysis of the soluble NSP decreased the specific volume. Treatment of both fractions improved crumb structure, decreased crumb firmness and increased the width/height ratio of the minibreads.     

Extraction and characterization of a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia</Emphasis> pectin

This study reports the investigation into pectin present in Terminalia ferdinandiana—a native Australian fruit utilised in dietary supplement industry. Citric acid extraction was carried out to extract pectin from two commercially available T. ferdinandiana products—frozen puree and freeze-dried puree powder. The yields of the extracted pectin were measured at various pHs (2.0, 3.0 and 4.0) and times (30, 60 and 120 min) at 75 °C. Pectin yield ranged between 4.8 and 21%. Freeze-dried powder had a higher pectin yield compared to puree. Extraction at pH 3 for 120 min resulted in the highest yield from both puree (15%) and powder (21%). T. ferdinandiana pectins were found to have low methoxyl content with degree of esterification of 35.07 and 34.74% for puree and powder, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the extracts were pectin.     

Optimisation of pectin extraction from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas,Convolvulaceae) residues with disodium phosphate solution by response surface method

Disodium phosphate solution was used for extracting pectin from sweet potato residues, and response surface methodology was adopted to optimise the effects of extraction parameters on the pectin yield (%, w/w). The independent variables were liquid/solid ratio, extraction time (h), extraction temperature (°C) and solution pH. The optimal conditions were determined, and 3‐D response surface plot was plotted from the mathematical models. The results indicated that all four factors significantly affected the pectin yield in the following order: solution pH > extraction time > extraction temperature > liquid/solid ratio. The selected optimal extraction conditions were liquid/solid ratio 20:1, extraction time 3.3 h, extraction temperature 66 °C and solution pH 7.9. These conditions yielded about 10.24% of pectin vs. 10.27% for the predicted value. The degree of esterification and gel strength of extracted pectin with disodium phosphate solution in the optimised condition were 11.2% and 115.6 g, respectively.     

Pectin lyase and polygalacturonase of Aspergillus niger pathogenic for yam tubers (Diascorea rotundata)

Polygalacturonase and pectin lyase of Aspergillus niger partially purified by ethanol, ammonium sulphate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-150 column chromatography were characterized. Polygalacturonase gave optimum activity at pH 4–5, and at 35°C. It was stable at pH 3–7 and at 20–50°C. The molecular weight was 38020. For pectin lyase optimum activity occurred at pH 5 and 45°C. The enzyme was stable at pH 3–4 and at 40–50°C. The molecular weight was 30 900. Yam tissue was optimally macerated at pH 4–5 by the enzymes. At pH 4.5, potassium sorbate (0.6 mg/ml), benzoic acid (0.8 mg/ml) and sodium benzoate (1.0 mg/ml) caused complete inhibition of polygalacturonase activity. With pectin lyase, this effect was achieved with potassium sorbate and benzoic acid each at 0.9 mg/ml, but not with sodium benzoate.     

Processing of cauliflower by ohmic heating: influence of precooking on firmness

The feasibility of processing cauliflower by ohmic heating was investigated. Firstly, cauliflower florets were precooked in tap water at low temperatures (40–70 °C) for 0 to 60 min. A control sample was cooked at 95 °C for 5 min. No significant textural differences were found between samples treated at 40 or 50 °C and fresh samples, but the firmness of samples cooked above 60 °C decreased. The effect of precooking time was not found to be significant. Secondly, low temperature precooking was performed in salted water for 30 min and followed by ohmic heating (holding time 30 s at 135 °C). After ohmic heating, florets pretreated at low temperatures were firmer than control samples. The firmness of florets precooked at 40 °C or 50 °C was considerably increased (>300%) compared to those precooked at 95 °C. Low-temperature precooking increased the firmness of cauliflower subjected to ohmic heating. The experimental results show that ohmic heating combined with low-temperature precooking in saline solutions offers a viable solution to high temperature/short time sterilisation of cauliflower florets. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Blanching effects on chemistry, quality and structure of green beans (cv. Moncayo)

Green beans (cv. Moncayo) were blanched at 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 97 °C for 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 min. Pectinesterase (PE) activity was highest in cell-wall-bound extracts of beans blanched at 70 °C/10 min. The lowest water-soluble pectin fraction, the highest EDTA-soluble pectin fraction and the lowest degree of esterification of the EDTA-soluble fraction were all recorded for the same temperature/time combination; these effects can therefore be attributed to PE activity. Chemical changes did not affect initial firmness of the beans, which was practically constant after blanching at 65, 70, 75 and 80 °C. Simple first-order models were adequate to establish softening kinetics for beans blanched at 85, 90 and 97 °C. In this temperature range, Kramer maximum force was the mechanical parameter that best characterised bean softening by blanching. For all temperatures, short-time blanching increased the coloration and total chlorophyll content of the samples with respect to fresh control, thus precluding the use of simple models. In the treated beans, the ascorbic acid content was consistently lower than in the control and decreased continuously with increasing time. Microphotographs showed no appreciable differences in morphology between fresh and blanched beans at 65, 70 and 75 °C, which would explain the similarity of mechanical behaviour in these samples. Blanching at 85, 90 and 97 °C caused loosening and swelling of the cell walls owing to breakdown of the pectic material, which again helps to explain the observed loss of firmness.     

The use of continuous-flow electrophoresis to remove pectin in the purification of the minor pectinesterases in lemon fruits (citrus limon)

Continuous-flow electrophoresis was used to separate pectin and coloured substances from extracts of lemon pectinesterase. Two minor lemon pectinesterases were subsequently separated from two major pectinesterases, using chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and CM-Sephadex C-50. One minor pectinesterase was stable at low pH, showed the same initial pectinesterase activity at 88°C as at 25°C, and was active at 85°C for 9 min. This enzyme destabilised the cloud of single-strength lemon juice. It is suggested that the minor pectinesterases might not be true isozymes, but could arise from association of a major enzyme with pectin.     

Isolation and Characterization of Pectin Methylesterase from Apple Fruit

Two forms of the enzyme pectin methylesterase are evidenced in the apple (Malus communis). They differ both in their charge and molecular weight. The two enzymes were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Their molecular weights, determined by gel-filtration, were 55000 and 28000 daltons. The heavier form has been purified at homogeneity and subjected to investigations regarding its activity as a function of the pH and temperature, and determination of its kinetic parameters. The enzyme has a Km value of 1.05 mg/mL for citrus pectin and an optimum activity in the pH range between 6.5-7.5. The enzyme was stable up to 40°C. Incubation for 1 min at 90°C leads to its complete inactivation.     

Programmed Freezing Affects Texture, Pectic Composition and Electron Microscopic Structures of Carrots

Raw and blanched carrots (3 min, boiling water) were frozen at ?2°C, ?3°C, ?4°C or ?5°C/min (final ?20°C or ?50°C) then thawed at 20°C or 100°C. Firmness of thawed raw carrots was: ?5°C > ?4°C > ?3°C > ?2°C/min. Effect of freezing rate on blanched carrots was less than that on raw carrots, but firmness of thawed carrots was not affected by final temperature of freezing. When raw carrots were thawed at 20°C, high methoxyl pectin decreased. Pectin decrease in blanched carrots caused by freezing was greater than that in frozen raw carrots. Effects of slow-freezing, programmed-freezing (slow + quick + slow) and quick-freezing showed quick freezing (—5°C/min) best for texture. As freezing rate decreased, drip increased. A wide difference among experimental samples in fine structure was revealed by cryo-scanning electron microscopy.     

Canning Quality Evaluation of Pinto and Navy Beans

Thermal processing of pinto and navy beans at 121.1°C for 16 or 14 min in a still retort gave similar sterilization value (F_o= 10) as the processing at 115.6°C for 45 min. The 121.1°C/16 or 14 min process produced beans with greater firmness than the 115.6°C/45 min process. The addition of CaCl₂ and EDTA improved firmness and color of canned beans. Calcium chloride also reduced clumping and splitting of the canned beans. Sensory evaluation showed that the acceptability of canned beans was reduced when CaCl₂ was increased up to 10 mM. High correlation between firmness and soluble pectin in various bean cultivars implied that soluble pectin content could be used as a parameter for screening bean cultivars with desirable firmness.     

Optimization of a Diced Tomato Calcification Process

The effect of calcium concentration (0.05-1.45% CaCl₂), temperature of dipping solution (35-65°C), and contact time (0.5-3.5 min) on calcium uptake, firmness and pH of diced tomatoes was evaluated during a calcification process using response surface methods. Temperature had no significant effect on the process. Application of graphical optimization techniques revealed that processing in a solution of relatively low calcium concentration (?0.43% CaCl₂) at ambient temperature (? 35°C) for about 3.5 min would yield a product with Ca⁺⁺ content below the legal limit (<800 μ-g/g), improved firmness (shear force value > 20 N/g), and with pH low enough (<3.95) to eliminate any requirement for acidification treatment.     

Extraction and Physicochemical Characterization of Pectin from Sunflower Head Residues

Pectin was isolated from sunflower head residues, using 0.75% sodium hexametaphosphate extraction followed by acid precipitation. The yield of pectin was7.3% of the head residues. The isolated pectin contained 89.2% anhydrogalacturonic acid, 2% acetyl ester, and 4.2% neutral sugars, which were mainly rhamnose and glucose. The degree of methylation was 38.5%. The pectin had a high viscosity (527 cp at 1% level) at pH 3 and a high water-holding capacity (57g water/g organic matter). The peak molecular mass of the sunflower pectin was > 523,000 daltons.