Changes in texture qualities and pectin characteristics of fermented minced pepper during natural and inoculated fermentation process

Texture qualities and pectin characteristics in fermented minced pepper (FMP) prepared by natural fermentation (NF) and inoculated fermentation (IF) were analysed during fermentation. The results showed variation in texture qualities and pectin characteristics was similar during NF and IF process. The hardness, cell wall material, sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) and chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) content, and CSP esterification degree decreased, while water-soluble pectin (WSP) content significantly (P < 0.05) increased after fermentation. The rhamnose (Rha) molar ratio in three pectins increased, but arabinose (Ara) and galactose (Gal) molar ratios in most pectins decreased after fermentation. Changes in Ara/Gal and (Gal + Ara)/Rha ratios represented the backbone and branched chains of rhamnogalacturonan-I in three pectins depolymerised during fermentation. The decrease of molecular weight (M_w) in CSP was more obvious than that in WSP and SSP, and it was extensively depolymerised into low-M_w pectin after fermentation. Pearson's correlation analysis showed FMP hardness was extremely (P < 0.01) positively correlated with CSP content and significantly (P < 0.05) positively correlated with SSP content and CSP M_w. Hence, CSP was the main pectin to affect texture compared with WSP and SSP, and its characteristics played a crucial role for regulating FMP texture during NF and IF process.     

Quality attributes and cell wall properties of strawberries (Fragaria annanassa Duch.) under calcium chloride treatment

Effects of CaCl₂ (0%, 1% and 4%) treatment on quality attributes and cell wall pectins of strawberry fruits stored at 4 °C for 15 d were investigated. Strawberry firmness was not significantly affected by CaCl₂ treatment. Compared to the other groups, the 1% CaCl₂ group had better quality attributes, including decay rate, weight loss and soluble solids content. The treatment with 4% CaCl₂ inhibited weight loss but caused phytotoxicity. During storage, the chain widths and lengths of water-soluble pectin (WSP), chelate-soluble pectin (CSP) and sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) decreased. Strawberry softening seemed to be due to modifications of CSP and SSP, especially the side chains. CaCl₂ treatment significantly slowed the breakdown of CSP and SSP chains by strengthening the ionic crosslinkages among these pectin molecules. These results illustrate the fundamental CaCl₂ effects and will help improve the application of CaCl₂ to postharvest fruits.     

番茄果胶和半纤维素抗氧化活性分析

为了探究番茄细胞壁中不同类型果胶和半纤维素的抗氧化活性,利用水、EDTA、Na₂CO₃、4% KOH和24% KOH溶液分步提取,得到水溶性果胶(WSP)、离子结合型果胶(CSP)、共价结合型果胶(SSP)、松散结合型半纤维素(LH)和紧密结合型半纤维素(TH)五种组分,对各组分进行了氧自由基吸收能力(ORAC)、DPPH自由基(DPPH·)清除能力、ABTS自由基(ABTS+·)清除能力和铁离子还原能力(FRAP)的分析。结果表明,番茄WSP含量显著高于CSP和SSP,为1.05 mg GalUA/g FW,TH含量显著高于LH(p<0.05),为0.09 mg Glu/g FW。番茄不同类型果胶和半纤维素均具有一定的抗氧化活性。其中,CSP的ORAC、DPPH·清除能力和ABTS+·清除能力较强,综合抗氧化活性较高。在5 mg/mL时,CSP的ORAC值相当于76.4 μmol/L Trolox,DPPH·和ABTS+·的清除率分别达到61.0%和99.8%。而SSP、LH和TH具有较强的FRAP。相关性分析表明各组分与抗氧化活性密切相关。研究结果为番茄的综合加工利用和作为功能性食品添加成分的开发提供了理论根据。     

Changes in firmness, pectin content and nanostructure of two crisp peach cultivars after storage

To investigate the fundamental of firmness changes of crisp peaches, firmness and pectin contents of two peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) cultivars (‘Cangfangzaosheng’ and ‘Songsenzaosheng’) stored at 2 °C, 8 °C and 15 °C were investigated. Sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) extracted showed the highest correlation (positive) with firmness among the three kinds of pectins (water-soluble pectin, chelate-soluble pectin and SSP). The qualitative and quantitative information about SSP nanostructures were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The widths of the peach SSPs were very consistent. The SSP chain widths of both peach cultivars were similar and were composed of several basic units. Schematic models of the changes of the chain widths were proposed. The results indicate that the firmness of peach was closely related with the contents and nanostructural characteristics of SSP, which might be hydrolyzed by enzymes in fruit flesh.     

Firmness and Cell Wall Characteristics of Pasteurized Jalapeño Pepper Rings as Affected by Preheating and Storage

Changes in cell wall pectic substances, degree of pectin methylation, bound calcium and firmness were determined in preheated and nonpreheated fresh pack jalapeño pepper rings stored for 5 mo. Pepper rings preheated for 60 min at 50°C in a brine solution (8% NaCl and 0.2% CaCl₂, were firmer, had more nonextrctable pectins (NXP), more bound calcium, less water-soluble and chelator-soluble pectins (CSP), and less pectin methylation than nonpreheated pepper rings. The greater formation and maintenance of nonextractable pectins, which resisted acid hydrolysis during pasteurization and storage is probably an important factor in firming.     

Textural properties of gelling system of low-methoxy pectins produced by demethoxylating reaction of pectin methyl esterase

ABSTRACT:  After deesterification of commercial pectins with a pectin methyl esterase (PME), their gelling properties were characterized using instrumental texture analysis. The final degree of esterification (DE) of the high- and low-methoxy pectins reached approximately 6% after the PME treatment, while deesterification of low-methoxy amidated pectin stopped at 18% DE. Furthermore, DE of high-methoxy pectin was tailored to be 40%, which is equivalent to the DE of commercial low-methoxy pectin. As a result, significant changes in molecular weight (Mw) distribution were observed in the PME-treated pectins. The texture profile analysis showed that PME modification drastically increased hardness, gumminess, and chewiness, while decreasing cohesiveness and adhesiveness of the pectin gels ( P < 0.05). The pectin gel with relatively high peak molecular weight (Mp, 3.5 × 10⁵) and low DE (6), which was produced from high-methoxy pectin, exhibited the greatest hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience. The hardness of low-methoxy amidated pectin increased over 300% after PME deesterification, suggesting that the effects of amide substitution could be reinforced when DE is even lower. The partial least square regression analysis indicated that the Mw and DE of the pectin molecule are the most crucial factors for hardness, chewiness, gumminess, and resilience of gel matrix.     

Short communication: Stabilization of milk proteins at pH 5.5 using pectic polysaccharides derived from potato tubers

Potato pectin has unique molecular characteristics that differentiate it from commercially available pectins sourced from citrus peels or apple pomace, including a higher degree of branching and a higher acetyl content. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of potato pectin to stabilize milk proteins at an acidic pH above their isoelectric point, pH 5.5, at which no citrus- or apple-derived pectins are functional. Potato pectin was extracted from raw potato tubers by heating at pH 4.5 and 120°C for 30 min after removing starch solubilized using a dilute HCl solution adjusted to pH 2. The potato pectin was found to have a galacturonic acid content of 17.31 ± 3.29% (wt/wt) and a degree of acetylation of 20.20 ± 0.12%. A portion of the potato pectin was deacetylated by heating it in an alkaline condition. The deacetylation resulted in a galacturonic acid content of 19.12 ± 4.64% (wt/wt) and a degree of acetylation of 3.03 ± 0.03%. Particle size distributions in acidified milk drink (AMD) samples adjusted to pH 5.5 demonstrated that the acetylated and deacetylated potato pectins were capable of inhibiting the aggregation of milk proteins to the largest degree at a pectin concentration of 1.0 and 0.25% (wt/wt), respectively. Pectin molecules that were not bound to milk proteins in these AMD samples were quantified after centrifugally separating milk proteins and pectin bound to them from the serum. We found that, for the acetylated and deacetylated potato pectins, all or approximately half of the pectin molecules were bound to milk proteins at a pectin concentration of 0.25 or 1.0% (wt/wt), respectively. These results suggest that the presence of acetyl groups is a critical factor that determines how potato pectin molecules bind electrostatically to milk protein surfaces, form 3-dimensional structures there, and function as a stabilizer. The present results demonstrate that potato pectin can stabilize milk proteins at pH 5.5 and potentially enable the development of novel AMD products with improved functionality for casein-containing products with moderately acidic pH profiles.     

Physicochemical Properties, Firmness, and Nanostructures of Sodium Carbonate-Soluble Pectin of 2 Chinese Cherry Cultivars at 2 Ripening Stages

ABSTRACT:  Firmness and physicochemical properties of 2 Chinese cherry ( Prunus pseudocerasus L.) cultivars (soft cultivar "Caode" and crisp cultivar "Bende") at unripe and ripe stages were investigated, and the qualitative and quantitative information about sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) nanostructures was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The lengths and widths of the cherry SSPs are very regular: almost all of the widths and lengths of SSP single molecules are composed of several basic units. The widths of the SSP chains are 37, 47, 55, and 61 nm, and the lengths are 123, 202, and 380 nm in both cultivars. The results show that the firmer cherry groups (crisp fruit) contain more percentages of wide and short SSP chains than soft fruit, and the unripe groups contain more percentages of wide and long SSP chains than corresponding ripe groups. They indicate that those nanostructural characteristics of SSP are closely related with firmness of the Chinese cherries in each cultivar.     

Molecular Mass and Solubility Changes in Pectins during Storage of Satsuma Mandarin Fruits (Citrus unshiu Marc.)

Soluble pectins in satsuma mandarin fruits stored at 5°C were investigated by High Performance Gel Filtration chromatography. Pectins isolated from the flavedo, albedo, membranes and juice sacs were separated into four fractions. The hydrochloric acid soluble pectin fraction in each part was the highest and decreased slightly while the water-soluble pectin increased slightly. The avergae molecular weights of the fractionated soluble pectins in juice sacs were nearly constant but those in flavedo, albedo and membranes decreased as storage time increased. The ratios of higher molecular weight of water soluble and ammonium oxalate-soluble pectins in all the four parts and those of hydrochloric acid soluble pectin in flavedo and membranes decreased as ratios of lower molecular weight fractions increased.     

1-甲基环丙烯和不同贮藏温度对油桃果实硬度与细胞壁果胶的影响

以“中油 13 号”为试材,研究1-甲基环丙烯（1-Methylcyclopropene,1-MCP）和不同贮藏温度对油桃果实硬度与细胞壁果胶的影响。结果表明:1-MCP处理能有效地抑制常温下油桃果实硬度下降,贮藏第2 d,1-MCP处理组与未经1-MCP处理组油桃硬度分别下降12.31%和54.53%,差异极显著（P<0.01）,但贮藏后期抑制效果减弱,差异不显著（P>0.05）;而结合低温贮藏效果更好,贮藏至结束,1-MCP处理组与未经1-MCP处理组油桃硬度分别下降54.38%和62.96%,差异显著（P<0.05）。1-MCP主要通过影响油桃WSP半乳糖醛酸主链和阿拉伯糖支链的积累、CSP与SSP阿拉伯糖支链与半乳糖支链的分解,抑制油桃水溶性果胶（Water-soluble pectin,WSP）含量的升高与螯合性果胶（Chelate-soluble pectin,CSP）和碱溶性果胶（Sodium carbonate-soluble pectin,SSP）含量的降低,延缓油桃软化;低温主要通过抑制SSP阿拉伯糖支链与半乳糖支链的分解,减缓SSP含量降低,延缓油桃软化。油桃质地软化与果胶多糖的含量及主侧链变化密切相关,1-MCP处理和低温能有效地抑制贮藏期油桃硬度下降。     

Influence of pectin structure on the interaction with bile acids under in vitro conditions

Structural parameters of pectin (a polysaccharide and important component of dietary fibre) influence the interaction with bile acids (BA). The effect of experimental conditions (concentration of pectin, BA and Ca²⁺) on such interactions was studied at pH 6.0. Series of pectins were used, prepared from virtually fully esterified pectin by gradual de-esterification with alkali or with pectinesterase from oranges. Further amidated and acetylated pectins were also tested. The greatest interaction with BA was found with a very highly esterified pectin under in vitro conditions. The interaction diminished with decreasing degrees of esterification (DE). This decrease was more intensive for pectins possessing a blockwise arrangement of free -COOH groups. Derivatives of pectin generally interacted less with BA. These results were principally confirmed with commercial pectins, with pectins prepared on a pilot-plant scale and with pectins originating from a defined botanical source. The interactions of these preparations with BA were less intensive than with those of pectins having an ideal random distribution of free -COOH groups in the polysaccharide molecules at the same DE. The interaction with pectin is also likely to be influenced by the structure of BA.     

Pectin Extraction from Lemon By-Product with Acidified Date Juice: Effect of Extraction Conditions on Chemical Composition of Pectins

Mixtures of date and lemon pectins were extracted from lemon by-product with acidified date juice under different conditions of temperature, pH and time. Individual pectins from date and lemon, respectively, were also extracted using the same experimental conditions, then analysed and compared to pectin mixtures. It was found that the use of extreme conditions resulted in higher galacturonic acid content, lower degree of methylation, lower neutral sugar content, lower molecular weight and darker colour pectins. Examination of the individual neutral sugars showed that the main ones were galactose (1.6–5.4%), arabinose (1.6–4.2%) and rhamnose (0.5–0.8%). The Gal A/Rha molar ratios varied from ∼53 to ∼149. Moreover, mixture of pectin extracted at the optimal extraction conditions (84.34 °C, pH 2.8 during 3 h 34 min) had interesting properties, with a high galacturonic acid content (63.4%), low degree of methylation (∼35%) and a mass molecular weight of about 243 kg/mol.     

“Green labelled” pectins with gelling and emulsifying properties can be extracted by enzymatic way from unexploited sources

Functional properties of “green labelled” pectins extracted with enzymes from chicory root, citrus peel and cauliflower by-products were assessed. Chicory and citrus pectins were selected to study their gelling properties, while cauliflower pectin was chosen to investigate its emulsifying ability. High methoxy chicory and citrus pectins were shown to gel in the presence of sucrose at acidic pH, whereas their corresponding low methoxy pectins were able to gel in the presence of calcium. Additionally, HM cauliflower pectin exhibited emulsifying ability. Atomic Force Microscopy was used to better understand the gelling mechanism of pectins and particularly the first steps of gel setting. The present work demonstrates that “green labelled” enzyme-extracted pectins can be successfully used as gelling or emulsifying agents. The present study allows enhancing the value of “green” extraction of pectins, since such extraction leads to products with good functional properties that can directly be used for food and non-food purposes.     

Distribution of free carboxyl groups in native pectins from fruits and vegetables

Pectins from 18 kinds of fruit and vegetable are extracted with ammonium oxalate from the alcohol-insoluble substance and fractioned on DEAE-Sephacell. All the fruit pectins as well as tomato and sunflower pectin have in their distribution of the esterification degree a concentration maximum in the highly esterified range, that is above an esterification degree of 60%. With lower esterification degrees the concentration decreased continuously. Vegetable pectins from cucumbers, celery, and tomato-paprika (sweet, red) have their maximum within an esterification range of 50-60%. The carboxyl groups are randomly distributed in all these preparations. As against that, vegetable pectins from red and white cabbage, cauliflower, large radish and carrots have in addition to a pectin fraction with randomly distributed carboxyl groups another one, pectin molecules of which have blocks of free carboxyl groups. The latter fraction may constitute up to 50% of the pectin.     

De‐esterification of pectin by alkali,plant and fungal pectinmethylesterases and effect on molecular weight

Commercial high methoxyl pectin was de‐esterified using chemical saponification or by pectinmethylesterases. A commercial fungal pectin methyl esterase (PME) (EC 3.1.1.11), free of polygalacturonase, or a citrus Valencia PME was used to de‐esterify pectin enzymatically to a targeted degree of esterification. The apparent molecular weight of pectin did not change by extended times of Valencia PME treatment and ranged from 154100 to 183500. Fungal PME‐modified pectins had moderately increased apparent molecular weight that ranged from 123900 to 169800. The increase in molecular weight was attributed to aggregation. The molecular weight of pectins that were de‐esterified by alkali decreased from about 156200 to 91200. Citrus Valencia or fungal PME modification alters the charge of pectin without loss of high molecular weight. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of the overall charge and local charge density of pectin on the complex formation between pectin and β-lactoglobulin

The complex formation between β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) and pectin is studied using pectins with different physicochemical characteristics. Pectin allows for the control of both the overall charge by degree of methyl-esterification as well as local charge density by the degree of blockiness. Varying local charge density, at equal overall charge is a parameter that is not available for synthetic polymers and is of key importance in the complex formation between oppositely charged (bio)polymers. LMP is a pectin with a high overall charge and high local charge density; HMP_B and HMP_R are pectins with a low overall charge, but a high and low local charge density, respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) titrations identified pH_c, the pH where soluble complexes of β-lg and pectin are formed and pH_?, the pH of phase separation, both as a function of ionic strength. pH_c decreased with increasing ionic strength for all pectins and was used in a theoretical model that showed local charge density of the pectin to control the onset of complex formation. pH_? passed through a maximum with increasing ionic strength for LMP because of shielding of repulsive interactions between β-lg molecules bound to LMP, while attractive interactions were repressed at higher ionic strength. Potentiometric titrations of homo-molecular solutions and mixtures of β-lg and pectin showed charge regulation in β-lg–pectin complexes. Around pH 5.5–5.0 the pK_as of β-lg ionic groups are increased to induce positive charge on the β-lg molecule; around pH 4.5–3.5 the pK_a values of the pectin ionic groups are lowered to retain negative charge on the pectin. Since pectins with high local charge density form complexes with β-lg at higher ionic strength than pectins with low local charge density, pectin with a high local charge density is preferred in food systems where complex formation between protein and pectin is desired.     

Pectic substances in onion and garlic skins

Pectic substances from onion (white and red varieties) and garlic skins were isolated by extraction with ammonium oxalate. White onion and garlic skins were found to contain 11 to 12% pectin which can be recovered as a by-product in the dehydration industries. Characterisation of these pectic substances in terms of jelly grade, molecular weight, degree of esterification, methoxyl and uronide content was attempted. Pectins from white onions were superior to red onions in terms of jelly grade. Both types of onion pectins appeared to be of the rapid set type while the garlic skin pectin was of the medium set variety. Equivalent weight, methoxyl content and degree of esterification by themselves did not give any clear indication of pectin grade. Intrinsic viscosity values gave good correlation between jelly grade and molecular weight. The pectic substances from garlic skin differed from onion skin in certain respects and most remarkably in its viscosity behaviour.     

In vitro study of the interaction between pectinase and chelate-soluble pectin in postharvest apricot fruits

Firmness is one of the most important quality attributes of apricot fruits and is associated with chelate-soluble pectin (CSP). To elucidate the changes in CSP during postharvest, in vitro investigation of pectinase effects on CSP of apricot fruits was applied to simulate the in vivo changes in CSP fraction during postharvest. It was found that effects of pectinase (40 U/mg) treatment were similar to those of storage time on CSP nanostructures from the results of atomic force microscopy. Relative frequency of widths less than 31.25 nm was 3.6 % for control group, while it was 16.2, 52.0 and 65.5 %, respectively, for 1:10,000 (pectinase/CSP), 1:1,000 and 1:100 pectinase-treated groups. Most of the CSP lengths were 0.5–1 μm, while it was 0–1 μm for pectinase-treated groups. Pectinase treatment had some similar effects on CSP fraction as storage time.     

A light scattering study on the effects of pH on pectin aggregation in aqueous solution

Light-scattering measurements were carried out on pectins in aqueous solutions of pH ranging from about 4 to 2. The following pectin samples were used: three low methoxyl pectins which were demethylated by ammonia, acid and enzyme (all with a nearly similar methoxyl content from 6.1 to 6.2%), and pectin-NF with 12.04% methoxyl groups and sodium poly-galacturonic acid. When the pH of a 0.05% pectin solution containing 0.1 M NaCl was brought to pH 2 by adding HCl, the mol. wt and radius of gyration increased markedly, thus indicating that pectin molecules aggregate when the pH is lowered.     

Structure and physical properties of pectins with block-wise distribution of carboxylic acid groups

The physical and the interfacial properties of pectins de-esterified by a specific block-wise enzymatic procedure were investigated. Two major types of block-wise de-esterified pectins with different internal distribution of carboxylic acid on the pectin chains were explored. Type C and type U pectins with the same degree of methylesterification are different and a more block-wise intramolecular distribution in comparison to commercial native apple pectin. The most ordered pectin (U63 pectin, 63% methylesterified pectin) has the highest electrophoretic mobility (ζ-potential). It reveals more pronounced intermolecular interactions since it exhibited, at low pH, the lowest circular dichroism intensity at shorter wavelength. U63 pectin (at acidic pH, without calcium addition) has a higher viscosity and formed a stronger gel compared to the less ordered C63 pectin and/or native apple pectin. X-ray patterns show that powdered U63 pectin is more crystalline than C63 pectin, while apple pectin is mostly amorphous. The modified pectin also, most effectively, reduced the surface tension (55 mN/m) and the interfacial tension (5.6 mN/m), probably due to the preferred surface orientation of the carboxylic groups at the water/air or water/oil interfaces.