Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
and hydrophobic interactions are important forces in the aggregation of pectin mol-
ecules. Gel formation is caused by hydrogen bonding between free carboxyl groups on
the pectin molecules and also between the hydroxyl groups of neighboring molecules.
The rate of gel formation is also affected by the degree of esterification. A higher ester-
ified pectin (i.e., pectin with a DE of above 72%) causes gel at lower soluble solids and
more rapid setting than slow-set pectins (i.e., pectin with a DE of 58-65%). However,
low methoxyl pectin requires the presence of divalent cations for proper gel formation.
This unique property of this biopolymer has made it a very important food additive
for the food processing industries (Pilnik and Voragen, 1970). Pectin is extensively
used in the preparation of jam, jelly and marmalade. Pectin is also an indispensable
ingredient in other food preparations like sweetmeat, salad dressing, ketchup, sauce,
ice-cream, pudding, and so on. (Cruess, 1977). Pectin can also be used to stabilize
acidic protein drinks, such as drinking yogurt, and as a fat substitute in baked goods.
Pharmaceutical application
Pectin has a wide application in the pharmaceutical industry. Pectin has been reported
to help in reducing blood cholesterol (Sriamornsak, 2001). Pectin acts as a natural
prophylactic substance against poisoning with toxic cations. It has been shown to be
effective in removing lead and mercury from the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory
organs (Kohn, 1982). Pectin combinations with other colloids have been used exten-
sively to treat diarrheal diseases, especially in infants and children. Pectin has a light
antimicrobial action toward Echerichia coli (Thakur et al., 1997). Pectin hydrogels
have been used in tablet formulations as a binding agent (Slany et al., 1981) and also
have been used in controlled-release matrix tablet formulations (Naggar et al., 1992).
Pectin has a promising pharmaceutical uses and is presently considered as a carrier
material in colon-specific drug delivery systems (Sriamornsak, 2001). Pectin is used
as a carrier of a variety of drugs for controlled release applications. Techniques on the
manufacture of the pectin-based drug is a promising subject for the future pharmaceu-
tical industries (Sriamornsak, 2001)
other uses
Pectin is commonly used as a demulcent in throat lozenges. Pectin is used in manufac-
turing of many healthcare products such as lotions, facial creams, and other types of
makeup. In the cigar industry, pectin is considered an excellent substitute for vegetable
glue and many cigar smokers and collectors will use pectin for repairing damaged
tobacco wrapper leaves on their cigars. Among other uses, mention may be made to
the preperation of adhesives sizing of textiles, hardening of steel and so on. (Cohn and
Cohn, 1996).
CoNClusioN
A number of reports are in record on the chemistry, characterization, functional physi-
ological properties, and applications of the pectic polysaccharides, a natural polymer.
The foregoing discussion divulge that the long chain polymer of α-D-galacturonic
acids, which find their existence outside the protoplasm of a plant cell have a number
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