Pectin recovery from apple pomace: physico‐chemical and functional variation based on methyl‐esterification

Summary This study explored the valorisation of apple pomace by extracting pectin with both high and low degrees of esterification (DM). Two types of pectin were extracted with a DM of 43.29% being low methoxyl (LM) pectic polysaccharide and high methoxyl (HM) pectin with a DM of 65.88%. HM pectin was characterised by a WHC and OHC of 1.3 g g−1 and 0.4 g g−1, respectively, compared to 0.32 g g−1 and 0.14 g g−1, respectively, for LM pectic polysaccharide. HM pectin possessed greater purity indicated by 69.18% GalA, whereas LM pectic polysaccharide possessed 41.26% GalA. HM pectin revealed better functionality in terms of high emulsifying activity which was concentration‐dependent, and emulsion stability than LM pectic polysaccharide. The solubility of HM pectin was 90.8%, which is preferable for various industrial applications. LM pectic polysaccharide was characterised by a higher % radical‐scavenging activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. XRD analysis revealed LM pectic polysaccharide to possess higher crystallinity (53%) and SEM analysis revealed its surface to be rough and coarse. Pectin extraction and characterization.