Isolation, characterization and modification of citrus pectins
Journal Title: Journal of BioScience and Biotechnology - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
Orange and lemon peels were used for obtaining pectic polysaccharides. Citrus peels were previously treated with 96% ethanol, and the obtained alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) were subjected to a sequential extraction with hot distilled water and hot 0.5% HCl. Water- and acid-extracted orange (WEOP and AEOP) and lemon (WELP and AELP) pectins were obtained. Acid extraction gave higher yields of pectin than water extraction and lemon peels were richer in pectin. Comparative investigations were carried out with chromatographically purified commercial citrus pectin (CPCP). Chemical and physicochemical characterization of all pectins was accomplished. It was found that pectins were similar in anhydrouronic acid content (AUАC, 69-81%), but differed in their degree of methylesterification (DM, 55-81%). Generally water-extracted pectins were with higher DM. Both orange pectins were with higher DM and degree of acetylation (DA, 2%), in comparison with the corresponding lemon pectins. Water-extracted pectins were with higher degree of feruloylation (DF, 0.12-0.34%). To our knowledge this is the first report on the estimation of ester-linked ferulic acid in orange and lemon peel pectins. Pectic polysaccharides differed in molecular weight and homogeneity. WELP was with the highest molecular weight and homogeneity. The pectins contained D-galacturonic and D-glucuronic acids, L-arabinose, D-galactose, L-fucose, L-rhamnose and D-xylose. All investigated pectins showed immunostimulating activity by complement activation in the classical pathway at 1.25 and 2.5 mg/mL. Pectic polysaccharides were modified with endopolygalacturonase. Enzyme-modified CPCP and WEOP had higher anti-complementary activity than the corresponding initial pectins.
Authors and Affiliations
Yordan Georgiev, Manol Ognyanov, Irina Yanakieva, Veselin Kussovski, Maria Kratchanova
Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of wild-growing Micromeria thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch
The genus Micromeria Benth. (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae) includes about 130 species, often aromatc. The essential oil and extracts of some Micromeria species have significant antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal a...
Probiotic properties of endemic strains of lactic acid bacteria
Strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from various samples of matsun, yogurt and salted cheese from natural farms of Armenia were studied. They have high antimicrobial and probiotic activities, growth rate and d...
DNA fingerprinting and diversity analysis in Aus genotypes using microsatellite markers
DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity of 94 Aus (6 BRRI released Aus variety and 88 local Aus landraces) genotypes were carried out to protect the Aus landraces from biopiracy. A total of 91 microsatellite marke...
Efficacy of organic products against insect pests in alfalfa grown for seeds
Organic pesticides can be excellent alternatives to chemical pesticides. They occupy an important place in the plant protection sector. Evaluation of the efficacy was conducted using an alginate from seaweed (organic ins...
Effects of enzyme supplementation on replacing corn with barley in diet of broiler chicks
Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of an enzyme complex (Agrozyme®, a cocktail of cellulolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic enzymes) on barley energy content and its nutritive value for broiler chic...