Pectins obtained by ultrasound from agroindustrial by-products

GERSCHENSON LÍA N; FISSORE, ELIANA N.; ROJAS, ANA MARIA; ALONDRA IDROVO ENCALADA; ZUKOWSKI, ENZO; HIGUERA COELHO, RICARDO

FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021 vol. 118

0268-005X

Agroindustrial wastes and by-products from crops can be used for the extraction of valuable components such aspectins, contributing to sustainability and environmental protection. Pectins are complex polysaccharides of theplant cell-walls where fulfill important biological functions, showing high hydration capacity, swelling, thickening,and gelling effects. These features are also of technological interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries.Pectin extraction by conventional techniques involves high-temperature stages and the use of mineralacids which cause deteriorating reactions, loss of functionality, and decreased yield. The acidic and/or alkalinewaste streams generated produce environmental pollution and additional costs for effluent treatments.Ultrasound-assisted extraction of pectin allows using less solvent and reduces the environmental impact in termsof energy and time. The present paper reviews some selected bibliography published in the last years concerningthe pectin isolation from agroindustrial by-products by means of ultrasound-assisted techniques. A brief revisionabout pectin structure including the latest results published in relation to interactions with other cell-wallpolymers is presented to understand to what extent pectins are modified by the extractive conditions used.The incidence of ultrasound on the yield, chemical structure, molecular weight, and functional properties isdiscussed concluding that more systematic studies that consider not only the yield but also the process conditions,the chemical composition of the extractant, the chemical structure and functionality of the product, arenecessary to have a solid database for process optimization. Moreover, ultrasound combined with other nonconventionaltechniques can help achieve an efficient extraction, minimizing non-desired changes.